Curse

Crimson Flame · Jul 16, 2008, 02:14 PM // 14:14

I know this is kind of a newbie question, but the fact of the matter is that I've never really played a caster class before. As of right now I've got a 20/20 fire wand with both a 20/20 focus and a 15/-1 focus. I've been thinking about getting a staff - what should I look for in mods? Or are wands/foci generally regarded as being superior?

If it matters, I'm eventually looking to run builds for all attributes, so if there's a different suggestion for Earth Magic than for Fire, or if Water is different, feel free to give me all those suggestions too.

Quaker · Jul 16, 2008, 02:44 PM // 14:44

As with most things, it depends upon many factors such as, how much energy you have, how much energy you need for the skills you are using, how important is fast cast or recharge, etc.
I know many people will give you all kinds of opinions, but there really is no "best" answer.
And don't forget - you have 4 weapon slots. You can bring a variety of weapons to suit your needs.

Crimson Flame · Jul 16, 2008, 02:49 PM // 14:49

At this point I'm willing to take opinions. I still have two weapon slots that aren't filled - I'm willing to throw a staff or two in for certain situations, but I'm curious as to what peoples' preferences are.

Quaker · Jul 16, 2008, 03:02 PM // 15:02

My casters usually have one staff that gives them extra health (Hale Staff of Fortitude, or +60 green) and one staff that gives extra energy (Insightful plus Hale & Hearty, or +15 energy green). They tend to only use skills from the primary profession, so there's little need for anything fancy.
My SS Necro, because some Necro skills take so long to cast has an Adept Staff of Fortitude with an Aptitude Not Attitude inscription for 2x HCT of attribute 20%.

As you can see, I tend to use staffs, but Wand/Focus also work - and can be more varied.

I haven't used my Ele in a long time, but, if I recall, I generally had enough energy, so I mostly used an Insightful Staff of Fortitude with HCT 20% (Aptitude Not Attitude). Really just plain old common-dog stuff.

Btw, this is all PvE stuff. If you are doing PvP, it's a whole different ball game.

Crimson Flame · Jul 16, 2008, 03:15 PM // 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

My casters usually have one staff that gives them extra health (Hale Staff of Fortitude, or +60 green) and one staff that gives extra energy (Insightful plus Hale & Hearty, or +15 energy green). They tend to only use skills from the primary profession, so there's little need for anything fancy.
My SS Necro, because some Necro skills take so long to cast has an Adept Staff of Fortitude with an Aptitude Not Attitude inscription for 2x HCT of attribute 20%.

As you can see, I tend to use staffs, but Wand/Focus also work - and can be more varied.

I haven't used my Ele in a long time, but, if I recall, I generally had enough energy, so I mostly used an Insightful Staff of Fortitude with HCT 20% (Aptitude Not Attitude). Really just plain old common-dog stuff.

Btw, this is all PvE stuff. If you are doing PvP, it's a whole different ball game.

Yeah, this is all PvE stuff, I don't play PvP. On the second staff, that would actually be +20 energy when above 50% health, wouldn't it? I seem to remember that staves have +10 energy inherent, then a +5 staff head and +5^50% would be 20 energy.

And yeah, energy isn't really a problem. I've got 81 energy right now at level 14, so I should be good. Thanks for the advice, I'll check it out.

ALF71BE · Jul 16, 2008, 03:51 PM // 15:51

I bring along a 20% longer enchantments, HCT 20/20 staff. The less time I spend casting attunements, the better, me thinks.

I also personally don't use a 40/40 set on PvE, at least for eles, a 20/20 HSR is good enough, and then I add extra health which always comes handy; usually a 45hp while enchanted on the focus.

Bring the +30/-2 set of course, and then I just pick up any axe/sword/spear + shield (if any) for the +75hp and when going in Junundu (melee deals moar damage).

ShoGunTheOne · Jul 16, 2008, 04:06 PM // 16:06

i usually run an Adapt staff of Devotion with HCT 20% insc and Insightful staff of Fortitude with 5^50 for my ele

Ultima pyromancer · Jul 16, 2008, 04:06 PM // 16:06

If your playing PvP, you need a sword/axe/spear +5e +30hp and a few Shields +30hp with variable armor mods

E.g

+10 armor vs Blunt damage if you are going up against hammers, particularly Bunny thumpers

+10 armor vs slashing - swords etc.

a good shield that most people forget to take is +10 armor vs Lightening damage for wounding strike dervishes

You should use these shields whilst you have somebody on you, other wise use your 40/40 set for casting.

I don't think many people use staves nowadays in PvP

Now for PvE its a bit different, i prefer to use a staff most of the time, unless casting spells with +20 sec recharge or +2 sec casting, then i use the 40/40 set.

Just my personal preference ofc

Tyla · Jul 16, 2008, 04:11 PM // 16:11

Staves should be Adept *staff* of Enchanting, with a 20% HCT inscription. It gives you the maximum benefit you can with a staff.

As for weapon sets, you shouldn't need a high energy set much on an Ele, but it's always worth packing a dual +15/-1 set in my opinion.

Crimson Flame · Jul 16, 2008, 04:56 PM // 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyla

Staves should be Adept *staff* of Enchanting, with a 20% HCT inscription. It gives you the maximum benefit you can with a staff.

As for weapon sets, you shouldn't need a high energy set much on an Ele, but it's always worth packing a dual +15/-1 set in my opinion.

So the staff would basically be a 40/20? Sounds good, I'm pretty sure I have an adept head in storage, and I'll run through and get a Tengu staff or something like that. I love BMP weapons.

MagmaRed · Jul 16, 2008, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Depends a lot on the build you are running. For instance, look at these 2 builds, 1 Fire and 1 Earth. I'm not saying these are good, should be used, etc., just that they are possible and can demonstrate the use of various mods.

[obsidian flesh][stoneflesh aura][stone striker][sliver armor][earth attunement][mantra of earth][glyph of swiftness][crystal wave]

[searing flames][glowing gaze][glyph of lesser energy][liquid flame][fire attunement][mark of rodgort][glyph of sacrifice][meteor shower]

Now, the Earth build could make use of a +20% enchanting mod very easily. The Fire build, however, only uses 1 enchantment, and the duration doesn't need to be extended. Likewise, the Searing Flames recharge is fast enough, you may not see a need to use a 40% recharge set on a wand/focus. Instead, you could opt for more energy, +1 Fire Magic, etc. instead of a 20% recharge bonus.

So, after you know what build you will be using the weapons with, then look at what mods would be useful for that build. Note too, that as mentioned, there are 4 weapon slots, so you really should take several sets and swap as needed.

Crimson Flame · Jul 16, 2008, 05:30 PM // 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagmaRed

Depends a lot on the build you are running. For instance, look at these 2 builds, 1 Fire and 1 Earth. I'm not saying these are good, should be used, etc., just that they are possible and can demonstrate the use of various mods.

[obsidian flesh][stoneflesh aura][stone striker][sliver armor][earth attunement][mantra of earth][glyph of swiftness][crystal wave]

[searing flames][glowing gaze][glyph of lesser energy][liquid flame][fire attunement][mark of rodgort][glyph of sacrifice][meteor shower]

Now, the Earth build could make use of a +20% enchanting mod very easily. The Fire build, however, only uses 1 enchantment, and the duration doesn't need to be extended. Likewise, the Searing Flames recharge is fast enough, you may not see a need to use a 40% recharge set on a wand/focus. Instead, you could opt for more energy, +1 Fire Magic, etc. instead of a 20% recharge bonus.

So, after you know what build you will be using the weapons with, then look at what mods would be useful for that build. Note too, that as mentioned, there are 4 weapon slots, so you really should take several sets and swap as needed.

Incredibly helpful, thank you! Like I said, I'm used to playing melee characters, so dealing with multiple enchants is pretty foreign to me.

xarchitect · Jul 16, 2008, 08:57 PM // 20:57

Since you are just starting off as an ele, I am guessing that you will be running something along the lines if the Searing Flames build posted above. As mentioned above 40/40 set and enchanting mods are not likely to be all that necessary. Since you are more probably accustomed to playing melee (since you said you don't play caster), you might want to consider either a +30 health or +5 armor mod since you might not be accostomed to caster positioning yet and could be pulling agro onto yourself. Staying alive is usually better than hitting for a couple extra points. Once you get the basics of caster positioning, you can drop the health and use the 40/40 or +1 fire type mods to eke out a bit more damage. All of this is assuming you are looking for a generic "one size fits all" weapon rather than something tailored to a specific build.

Snow Bunny · Jul 16, 2008, 09:16 PM // 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson Flame

So the staff would basically be a 40/20? Sounds good, I'm pretty sure I have an adept head in storage, and I'll run through and get a Tengu staff or something like that. I love BMP weapons.

Yeah, it's like the monk prot staff - 40/20/20%

You really don't need extra energy or anything of the sort.

Crimson Flame · Jul 16, 2008, 09:24 PM // 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by xarchitect

Since you are just starting off as an ele, I am guessing that you will be running something along the lines if the Searing Flames build posted above. As mentioned above 40/40 set and enchanting mods are not likely to be all that necessary. Since you are more probably accustomed to playing melee (since you said you don't play caster), you might want to consider either a +30 health or +5 armor mod since you might not be accostomed to caster positioning yet and could be pulling agro onto yourself. Staying alive is usually better than hitting for a couple extra points. Once you get the basics of caster positioning, you can drop the health and use the 40/40 or +1 fire type mods to eke out a bit more damage. All of this is assuming you are looking for a generic "one size fits all" weapon rather than something tailored to a specific build.

Actually, I'm using a Savannah Heat build.

[build prof=E name="SH ele" box fire=11+1+2 ene=8+1][Liquid Flame][Fireball][Savannah Heat][Meteor][Immolate][Glowing Gaze][Fire Attunement][Sunspear Rebirth Signet][/build]

I'm still only on Istan so I don't have access to some of the preferred skills, but I'm making do with what I have. Not sure how I have Fire Attunement since I haven't been off the starter island and I've only used one ele tome (the elite for SH), but oh well.

Since I've only got one enchant that doesn't need to be extended, should I go with a 40/20 +30 staff?

Cebe · Jul 17, 2008, 12:21 PM // 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson Flame

Since I've only got one enchant that doesn't need to be extended, should I go with a 40/20 +30 staff?

Yes, or a 40/40 wand set, either is good.

I only use enchanting mods if I need the enchantment lengthening. Some may disagree with that, but honestly, there's no real need to extend the life of Fire Attunement. If the enchantment comfortably covers itself then the +30HP or the +5 Armor Staff Wrappings come in much more useful.

joshuarodger · Jul 17, 2008, 10:57 PM // 22:57

personally i always try to go with a 40% HCT in one form or another. whether it's 40/40 wand/offhand or 40/20/x staff. if farming, which generally relies on a lot of enchants, i go 40/20/20 staff almost always. playing through the general storyline, my weapons vary but not by much. with your savannah heat build, you'll probably want a 40/40 set. you want 40%ish HSR since your power skill has a terrible 25 second recharge and is likely to cause a lot of scatter. i'm not saying the skill is terrible, mind you, just the recharge. i happen to like that skill when used with something like [[deep freeze], a proper AoE snare, or maybe even an [[earth shaker] warrior. but you're going to want to use it more often than once every 25 seconds. in all honesty, i like to echo SH when i take it. if you get a good snare or KD chain, you get a lot of pretty, pretty yellow numbers.

Cebe · Jul 18, 2008, 07:21 AM // 07:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuarodger

you want 40%ish HSR since your power skill has a terrible 25 second recharge and is likely to cause a lot of scatter. i'm not saying the skill is terrible, mind you, just the recharge. i happen to like that skill when used with something like [[deep freeze], a proper AoE snare, or maybe even an [[earth shaker] warrior. but you're going to want to use it more often than once every 25 seconds. in all honesty, i like to echo SH when i take it. if you get a good snare or KD chain, you get a lot of pretty, pretty yellow numbers.

When I use Savannah Heat it's usually in a Triple Heat build. I like to use [[Ebon Battle Standard of Wisdom] with it (as well as my 40% HSR of course).

Stormlord Alex · Jul 18, 2008, 08:00 AM // 08:00

Set 1 - 20/20 wand and 20/20 offhand
Set 2 - 20/20/20 staff with +20% enchants
Set 3 - +30 hp, 10% HSR/10% HCT martial with +30 hp, +10 al vs. X shields
Set 4 - 15/-1 wand and 15/-1 offhand

If you honestly believe e-denial will be a threat to you, you can take a -5e martial in your bag.

... hasn't this question been stickied already?

Cebe · Jul 18, 2008, 09:01 AM // 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormlord Alex

... hasn't this question been stickied already?

No, It should be in the guide really but I don't see it.

Crimson was asking about staffs specifically, not just what weapons sets are good. Main question seemed to be whether it was worth using a 20% enchanting mod on a staff if the only enchantment you use it an attunement.

I do think the guide needs some information on this, it is the sort of topic which gets questioned time and time again...