Runestaff

A runestaff is a special defensive item designed for use by pure professions. Runestaves are also treated as Two-handed Weapons for offensive purposes.

Training Requirements

Though any amount of training in magical skills will provide runestaff DS, 8 ranks of magical skills per level will generate DS approximately equal to that provided by training 1x + 10 ranks in Two-Handed Weapons. Actual training in the Two-Handed Weapons skill is required to generate offensive attack strength with a runestaff.

The runestaff itself provides 10 parry ranks. Between 0 and 4 magic ranks per level gives 15% parry ranks per magic rank, between 4 and 11 magic ranks per level it is 10% and above 11 it is 5%. Thus a 60th level character with 800 magic ranks would get 10 + 60*(4*0.15+7*0.1+2.333*.05) = 96 parry ranks. (1 parry rank is worth 1.05 DS in defensive stance)

Alternatively select the appropriate formula from the three below to calculate your parry ranks from your magic ranks. Less than 4 magic ranks per level: parry ranks = 10 + magic ranks*3/20 In between 4 and 11: parry ranks = 10 + level + (magic ranks - 8*level)/10 More than 11: parry ranks = 10 + level*13/10 + (magic ranks - 11*level)/20

Advantages

The primary advantage of using a runestaff for defense versus other training paths is that the skills required are already considered to be a main part of a typical pure spell-caster's training path, and as such come at little to no additional cost to the player in terms of training points. Runestaves are also the only form of defense which provide parry defense versus bolt and ball spells.

Bolts are parried at half strength, so the character in the example above would have 48 parry ranks against missile attacks.

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

Magical Skills

Elemental Mana Control	Mental Mana Control
Spiritual Mana Control	Sorcerous Lores
Elemental Lores	Mental Lores
Spiritual Lores	Spell Aiming
Arcane Symbols	Magic Item Use
Spell Research	Harness Power

Game Mechanics

A runestaff may also be used offensively. 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

Alternate Names

• crook
• crosier
• pastoral staff
• rune staff
• scepter
• staff

Runestaff Parry DS (Melee)

Step 1: Calculate Base Value

10 + Weapon Ranks + trunc(STR bonus ÷ 4) + trunc(DEX bonus ÷ 4) = Base Value

Step 2: Calculate Parry DS

(Base Value × Stance modifier × 1.5) + Stance Bonus + Runestaff Enchant Bonus = Parry DS

Note: Weapon ranks are derived from total magic ranks known (see conversion table below).

Magic Ranks/Weapon Ranks Conversion Table

To determine the number of 'magic ranks per level', divide the total number of magic ranks known, by the character's level. Ranks per level that fall between the table values are prorated.

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

Example

Level 60 character, 660 total magic ranks, 20 STR bonus, 20 DEX 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.

(10 + weapon ranks + trunc(STR bonus ÷ 4) + trunc (DEX bonus) = Base value

10 + 78 + (20 ÷ 4) + (20 ÷ 4) = 98 (Base Value) 

Stance Modifiers

Stance	Modifier
Offensive	0.20
Advance	0.30
Forward	0.40
Neutral	0.50
Guarded	0.60
Defensive	0.70

Stance Bonuses

Stance	DS Bonus
Offensive	0
Advance	10
Forward	20
Neutral	30
Guarded	40
Defensive	50

Runestaff Parry DS (Ranged)

This formula applies to all ranged attack types (bolt spells, thrown weapons and arrows).

((Base Value × Stance Modifier × 1.5) ÷ 2) + (Stance Bonus ÷ 2) + (Runestaff Enchant bonus ÷ 2)

See Also

• Runestaff (saved post)
• Wand-holding runestaves (saved post)
• Runestaff name alternatives (saved post)
• Two-handed Weapons
• List of woods

External Links

• Combat Guide: Rune Staves, on Play.net