MindXing |
My son and I have spent a lot of time reviewing the CRB concerning the use of staves and we're still a bit confused. I'm hoping you guys can clear things up for us.
1) Who can use a staff?
I know that the CRB says that anyone can use spells from a staff as long as they have that spell on their class list. It seems that there isn't a level requirement since one example provided said that a level-3 paladin could use a staff that had higher level spells despite the fact that level-3 paladins can't cast (yet). But the fact that the staff spells were on the paladin class spell list meant that the paladin could use the staff. By extension, does this mean that a level-1 wizard can use a Staff of Power (all wizard spells on that) without restriction?
2) Recharging
I think we understand recharging well enough. You can recharge 1 spell per day in lieu of preparing a spell/slot that corresponds to the highest level of spell on the staff. This means that the level-1 wizard mentioned above wouldn't be able to recharge the Staff of Power because a level-1 wizard doesn't have any 6-level spell slots.
3) Using a staff as Arcane Bond
The CRB indicates that a wizard can have a staff as an arcane bond, at no cost. I find it hard to believe that this could be a magical staff (wizard's choice). Or am I wrong? Can a wizard pick any magical staff to start with as his/her arcane bond? Definitely seems OP to me.
Any clarification will be appreciated.
Gisher |
(1) You are correct. Any of the stave's spells that are on your spell list can be activated.
(2) You are correct. I'll note that a 10th level Staff Magus gets a special ability that lets them charge staves differently. So such a Magus could charge up a Staff of Power before having 6th level spells.
(3) As you say, getting a magic staff at 1st level would be very OP. Similarly choosing a weapon for your Arcane Bond shouldn't let you choose a +5 Vorpal dagger. The item is said to be masterwork, but that's all.
CBDunkerson |
To be clear on the third question; if your arcane bond is a staff then what you have at 1st level is just a masterwork staff. It doesn't have the powers of any particular magical staff unless you spend the time and money to enchant it with such.... though you automatically have the ability to do so, without having to take the feat normally required for that.
Drahliana Moonrunner |
To be clear there are actually TWO very different things we're talking about when it comes to staves.
1. The first type that's been discussed for most of this thread, is a container of multiple spells, most of which aren't particularly useful as weapons, beyond being the basic staff stick.
2. The second type is the actual weapon of combat, which can be treated, masterworked, and enchanted like any other weapon, which can be used as a two or one-handed single weapon, or as a double weapon with two heads.
3. There are some rare magical staves like the Staff of Power, which does have an enchanted weapon function, but most casters who use them, aren't the type to sully themselves with melee. (Staff Magi being a notable exception.)