Staff implement one-handed?

[KarinsDad]

Not really. The extra +1 proficiency bonus a longsword has over a staff compensates for using a magic sword that is five levels lower than the character. With the pricing of magic items in 4E, you can get an item 5 levels lower for next to nothing...especially if it is the fighter's hand-me-down sword that he no longer uses because he got a new one. By using a staff in two hands, you can't use a second implement or a shield, and you do less damage than the longsword.

Less damage?

A +3 Staff with a 10 Str Wizard does D8+3 damage and is lvl/2+5 to hit. A +2 Longsword with a 10 Str Wizard does D8+2 damage and is also lvl/2+5 to hit.

So, the +3 Staff does more damage unless the +2 Longsword is used two handed. In that case, the Wizard typically cannot use a second implement either.

The +3 Orb (9000 GP) and +2 Longsword (1800 GP) is worth more than the +3 Staff (9000 GP). Granted, the +2 Longsword can only be sold for 360 GP, but that's still 360 GP.

Just a small difference, but "not zero".

By using a staff in two hands, you can't use a second implement or a shield, and you do less damage than the longsword.

While mostly true (the longsword does not do more damage unless it is the same plus, in which case it would be 9000 GP implement plus 9000 GP longsword in the above example), it's somewhat irrelevant in some cases. Some Wizards do not use a shield or a second implement, nor have the feat to use a longsword.

One reason to take a Staff Wizard is because the player is not planning on using a shield or using a longsword. And if a Staff can be used as an implement one handed, then a Wizard could use a shield with it (he just couldn't OA or attack with it, but, who cares?).

Even a player planning on taking a second implement is not really at a significant disadvantage. It only takes a minor action to pull a second implement out and another to put it back away again. Since Wizards tend not to fight in melee, it is relatively rare for one to use a Staff that way anyway. Usually, any melee attack from a Staff Wizard is an OA.

Granted, most wizards won't bother using a weapon, because their at-will powers are better. However, Eladrin get longsword proficiency for free. It'd be nice to see them be able to use their proficiency without restricting their implement choice or forcing them into Wizard of the Spiral Tower.

True.

 

[FadedC]

How does one wield an Orb?

The fact that the word wield is used is not evidence of anything other than "hold and use".

The staff vs. quarterstaff issue is a red herring. A staff is not a quarterstaff. It merely uses the quarterstaff rules when being wielded as a weapon. It does not use the quarterstaff rules when being wielded as an implement. There are no rules for that.

A valid point on the orb, my point is just that clearly a staff is for intents and purposes identical to a big two handed quarterstaff in every way except for it's name and the fact that it can be used as an implement. It even has the same weight, and is described as being at least long as the person carrying it, if not longer. It's clearly not a short walking staff.

As for the rest, your right there are no rules for wielding implements which is why I say it's a grey area. There is no evidence for a staff taking 1 hand, and only very marginal evidence for 2. I'll still take marginal evidence over no evidence, especially when there is a custserv response to back it up.

Why would it have to morph though?

How else would it go from being a small one handed staff to a large 2-handed weapon only when it's being used in combat?

 

[der_kluge]

I require two hands to wield my staff.

(couldn't resist)

 

[KarinsDad]

I require two hands to wield my staff.

(couldn't resist)

You poor thing.

(couldn't resist)

 

[evileeyore]

I require two hands to wield my staff.

I hire hench, ahem, persons for that duty.

(couldn't resist)

Ditto.

 

[Mystery Man]

I require two hands to wield my staff.

(couldn't resist)

Pics or your lying.

 

[A2Z]

I require two hands to wield my staff.

(couldn't resist)

So you can't 'handle' your orb(s) at the same time?

 

[toxicspirit]

There is no evidence for a staff taking 1 hand, and only very marginal evidence for 2.

The only 'evidence' for two-handed wielding comes from the weapon section of the book. How then do you explain the Halfling conundrum I posted earlier?

A quarterstaff is a two-handed weapon. Halflings cannot wield two-handed weapons, yet they are not barred in any way from wielding a staff as an implement. This suggests that, even though a Staff can be used as a quarterstaff if required, and uses those rules when doing so, it does not act as a quarterstaff when wielded as a weapon, or the Halfling would be restricted when wielding a Staff as an implement.

 

[Midknightsun]

I require two hands to wield my staff.

(couldn't resist)

Small hands?

 

[der_kluge]

Pics or your lying.