Larian Studios Forums Divinity: Original Sin 2 Divinity - Original Sin 2 - General Staff of Magus vs Wand

Why can't a Staff have multiple ranged attacks like a Wand? What are the reasons for one ranged attack -- immersion, balancing, or just something else entirely? Discuss.

I agree that staff of magus could have unlimited use. As it is, I can't see why you would use a staff and not 2 wands or wand and shield. Does anyone have a reason for using a staff?

The addition of Memory limiting the spells you can have just makes it even more baffling. I don't see any reason why Staff of Magus needs a cooldown greater than 0 turns.

Staffs have better stats than two wands of equal level. The idea is that you'd be casting spells instead of attacking with your weapon, with the Staff of Magus ability being more of a backup than a primary. Also, Staff of Magus does not have a durability cost, as attacking with a wand does. If Staff of Magus had unlimited use, there'd be little reason to use wands.

I put a lot of points into Memory so I can get more spells. Through most of act 1, I'm using wands because I just don't have enough spells to exhaust my AP each turn, but later on I'm barely ever attacking, so a staff would be a better choice for the stats (assuming I've gotten one that has better stats than two wands, which is generally the case). Although, part of the problem I have with switching to a staff is finding a good one that does air damage, because I need that to keep groups of enemies in stunlock (electrifying puddles).

One obvious reason is that using a staff is meant to be different than a wand.
Another one is that staves, being able to serve a dual purpose as a catalyst for Warfare skills, should have some downside relative to wands(such as a limited ranged potential)

It is also worth considering that while Wands were from the start meant as primary offensive weapons, Staves are generally meant to only fill out the space within a turn where you cannot cast a spell.

Yep people got it down.

Wands are offensive weapons with a backup utility

Staffs are utility with a backup attack

Fair enough, I guess. At least once the issues with the Memory system are worked out.

Perhaps staves should have an increased chance to spawn with +Memory modifiers? Maybe even BEFORE Magic quality of the staff is considered?

It really basically boils down to staves being in the from the start in D:OS1, and wands being added in EE, and they had to be flashier to get people to use them (read: extremely overpowered like grenades).

And that situation ported over to D:OS2EE. Hopefully though they actually balance them out this time around now both are not new and shiny.