Staff as implement (Do I need two hands?)

[DGG]

A magic staff can be used as an implement and as a weapon.

A staff is considered a two-handed weapon but does one need two hands to use a staff as an implement?

 

[Rel]

Moved to 4e Rules.

 

[Sadrik]

Yes, you do.

I have a house rule that changes it to a versatile one handed weapon. This way, halflings can have a staff implement too.

 

[Caliban]

Staff Weapon is two-handed.

Staff Implement is one-handed (although you can choose to use it two-handed, in which case it is treated as both a weapon and an implement)

If you take Weapon Focus Staff, it will apply to the damage bonus to spells when you are wielding it two-handed. (See the PHB FAQ, Question 21. Answer)

 

[boar]

The FAQ doesn't say that the staff can be used one-handed as an implement. That's an inference based on a piece of phrasing in the question -- "or a staff implement held in two hands." It seems to be common knowledge on these forums that staff implements can be wielded in one hand, and that's how it works in the CB, but where exactly does it say this in the rules?

 

[keterys]

Hmm, Weapon Focus works on staves used one-handed in the character builder. I'm not convinced that you need to hold it in two-hands to get weapon focus to trigger - it is, after all, still a staff.

 

[DGG]

Ooh boy...

If I am following the FAQ logic correctly, does this also mean that a wizard using a staff with two hands as an implement also gets a +2 bonus to attack rolls due to his proficiency with it?

I'm really lost now...

 

[keterys]

No - not unless he's using a 'Weapon' power and not an 'Implement' power, anyways.

 

[DGG]

No - not unless he's using a 'Weapon' power and not an 'Implement' power, anyways.

This doesn't make any sense to me. The FAQ states that someone using a staff as an implement gets the weapon focus bonus (should he have it).

21. I am using a weapon as an implement, like a long sword for a Wizard of the Spiral Tower or a staff implement held in two hands, do I gain the extra damage from feats like Weapon Focus?

Yes, you do gain this bonus to damage.

So why doesn't the weapon proficiency apply to the attack rolls then?

 

[keterys]

Because weapon proficiency only applies to 'Weapon' powers and not 'Implement' powers.