Runestaff

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Runestaff

Unlike most weapon types, a runestaff is utilized more for defense than for offense. A character of the spell casting professions may use this type of weapon. Held in the right hand, skill with a runestaff is based on the wielder’s overall magical knowledge. This arcane knowledge effectively translates into a rune staff "weapon" skill for purposes of parrying incoming attacks. Additionally, these wooden rune staves are capable of parrying magical bolt spells and missile weapons, whereas most other weapons cannot.

Alternate Names

Alternate names for runestaff include asaya, crook, crosier, pastoral staff, rune staff, scepter, staff, staff-of-Lumnis, and walking stick.

The runestaff is a different type of weapon than the quarterstaff, even though both may use the noun "staff". One can INSPECT a staff to determine its type.

Game Mechanics

A runestaff may be used offensively as a melee weapon. When used in this manner it is classified as a two-handed weapon and its attack strength is increased with training in the two-handed weapon skill. Compared to other two-handed weapons the runestaff does considerably less damage.

Weapon AG Cloth Leather Scale Chain Plate RT Min RT Damage Type STR/DU
AsG 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Runestaff DF .250 .200 .150 .150 .075 6 4 Crush 20/270
AvD 10 15 14 13 12 10 8 6 4 15 11 7 3 10 4 -2 -8

The standard runestaff has a weight of 4 lbs.

Note: To edit this table go to Template:Weapon table runestaff

Runestaff Defense

Table: Runestaff Parry Ranks Conversion
Magic Ranks
per Level 		Weapon Ranks
Conversion 		Magic Ranks
per Level 		Weapon Ranks
Conversion
1 Level × 0.15 9 Level × 1.10
2 Level × 0.30 10 Level × 1.20
3 Level × 0.45 11 Level × 1.30
4 Level × 0.60 12 Level × 1.35
5 Level × 0.70 13 Level × 1.40
6 Level × 0.80 14 Level × 1.45
7 Level × 0.90 15 Level × 1.50
8 Level × 1.00 16 Level × 1.55

Skills that contribute to runestaff defense: Arcane Symbols, Harness Power, Magic Item Use, Spell Aiming, Spell Research, Mana Controls, Lores.

In order to benefit defensively using a rune staff, it is best to have at least eight magical ranks per level. A magical rank can be in any magical skill in the Character Manager, and each skill, regardless of cost, is weighted equally. Eight magical ranks per level is equivalent to 1x training in two-handed weapons and provides defenses as if the user had 10 additional parry ranks. Each additional magical rank per level will increase the caster's effective weapon ranks. To be proficient with a runestaff, it is expected that a typical caster will have 10.5 to 11 magical ranks per level. Provided they are 3 ranks spell research and 1 rank harness power, 4 ranks is perfectly adequate. General all round magic proficiency will result in around 11 ranks, but they aren't needed to be adequate with a runestaff. CS heavy builds will normally have 6-8 ranks and work best with runestaves.

Note: Training in Two-Handed Weapons skill DOES NOT add Parry DS. THW ranks only adds a bonus to the Attack Strength (AS) when the runestaff is used offensively. Do not train in Two-Handed Weapons unless you plan to swing the staff like a normal weapon.

Runestaves are also the only type of weapon which provide parry defense versus ranged attacks (bolt spells, hurled weapons, arrows). When parrying these ranged attacks, rune staves provide half their normal parrying bonus.

Unlike other weapons, a runestaff's full enchantment bonus is added directly to a character's Defensive Strength for all stances. For example, a runestaff with a +25 enchant bonus will add +25 DS in stance offensive.

Melee

Stance Modifier
Offensive 0.20
Advance 0.30
Forward 0.40
Neutral 0.50
Guarded 0.60
Defensive 0.70
Stance DS Bonus
Offensive 0
Advance 10
Forward 20
Neutral 30
Guarded 40
Defensive 50
Parry Defense Strength (DS) formula, runestaff vs. melee attacks:
DS = [Base Value] × [Stance Modifier] × 1.5 + [Stance Bonus] + Staff Enchant Bonus

where

[Base Value] = [Parry Ranks] + ⌊STR/4⌋ + ⌊DEX/4⌋
[Parry Ranks] is shown on the conversion reference table; add 10 bonus ranks to the converted value.
[Stance Modifier] = 20% + Stance / 2
Example: In Stance Guarded (Stance = 80%), the Stance Modifier would be 20% + (80% / 2) = 60%
[Stance Bonus] = Stance × 50
Example: In Stance Guarded (Stance = 80%), the Stance Bonus would be 80% × 50 = +40 DS

Ranged

Parry Defense Strength (DS) formula, runestaff vs. ranged attacks:
DS = ([Base Value] × [Stance Modifier] × 1.5) / 2 + [Stance Bonus] / 2 + [Staff Enchant Bonus] / 2

Example Calculation

Level 60 character, 660 total magic ranks, 20 STR bonus, 20 DEX bonus, stance guarded (stance modifier 0.60 and stance bonus +40), +25 runestaff enchant bonus.

Step 1: Divide total magic ranks by level

660 / 60 = 11

Step 2: Locate 11 in the 'magic ranks per level' column, then multiply the character's level by the conversion factor shown in the table.

60 × 1.30 = 78 Weapon Ranks

Step 3: Enter this value in the runestaff parry formula along with stats to determine the Base Value. Remember to add 10 bonus ranks.

10 + Weapon Ranks + truncate(STR / 4) + truncate(DEX / 4) = Base Value
10 + 78 + (20 / 4) + (20 / 4) = 98 (Base Value)

Final Melee DS: Enter base value, stance modifier and enchant bonus into formula. Truncate result after each operation.

[Base Value] × [Stance Modifier] × 1.5 + [Stance Bonus] + [Runestaff Enchant Bonus] = Parry DS
(98 × 0.60 × 1.5) + 40 + 25 = 152 Guarded Stance Melee Parry DS

Final Ranged DS: Enter base value, stance modifier and enchant bonus into formula. Truncate result after each operation.

[Base Value] × [Stance Modifier] × 1.5 / 2 + [Stance Bonus] / 2 + [Runestaff Enchant Bonus] / 2 = Parry DS
(98 × 0.60 × 1.5 / 2) + (40 / 2) + (25 / 2) = 75 Guarded Stance Ranged Parry DS

Properties and Scripts

Flares

Like other weapons, runestaves can be infused with flares and can inflict additional damage and/or criticals with a successful warding or bolt spell attack roll. Runestaves which flare in this fashion (rather than when used as a melee weapon), will flare less often (approximately 1/7 casts). Elemental Blade (411) can also be used on 0x runestaves in order to obtain elemental flares, though these will flare even less frequently. This is a popular tactic in areas with creatures which disarm or curse adversaries, causing them to lose their weapon.

Acuity flares are a special type of flare that increases attack and casting strength for one cast. Acuity occurs just before the attack resolves, giving a better chance of a successful hit. This can be a property of the staff itself or a potential benefit of Ensorcell.

Bless

Unlike with melee and missile weapons, typically a spellcaster will not need a blessing to be able to hit undead with full effect with magic (as they would not be physically swinging it). Runestaves can still be blessed by a Cleric to give them holy water flares and to anchor non-corporeal undead (as long as the blessing Cleric meets the requirements for those effects). Faewood is a holy material so a faewood runestaff would be considered blessed when held by a Cleric or Paladin, but it does not inherently have flares or anchoring, so the natural blessing is only visible when trying to swing it or use a combat maneuver, or if a Paladin consecrates it for plasma flares. Faewood is easier to sanctify, however, and sanctification has many benefits for spellcasters against undead.

Scripts

Runestaves may have some scripts that give them additional roleplaying and/or mechanical benefits. These are typically released in limited quantities from festivals and pay events. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list as there are numerous different scripts in the world, and many are not exclusive to runestaves.

Roleplaying only:

Mechanical:

Resources

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