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:
|
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:
|
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.
Wand-holding Mechanisms
- Main article: Wand-holding runestaff
Typically released at limited entrance events such as the Ebon Gate festival, these staves are able to hold a wand which can be activated by the appropriate verb (e.g. WAVE or RAISE) once in place. The mechanism on wand-holding runestaves may be permanent:
The pale faewood staff is capped with an apparatus of two interlocked rings and three triangular segments that come together at a sharp angle. The springs appear to be in absolutely pristine and perfect condition. The tip is currently empty, revealing a deep recess in the center of the staff.
Or degrade over time and require repairs, as apparent by the item's show description (in this case, a fresh yet degradable runestaff):
The pale faewood staff is capped with an apparatus of two interlocked rings and three triangular segments that come together at a sharp angle. The springs appear to be in a flawless and undamaged state. The tip is currently empty, revealing a deep recess in the center of the staff.
Rare Scripts
These special runestaves are released in very limited quantities from pay events and festivals.
- Gem-eating runestaff
- Globus Elanthias
- Nerve Staves
- Parasitic Weapon
- Sigil Staff
- Surita runestaff
- Wand-holding runestaff
Some rare scripts are not exclusive to runestaves but have staff-based versions.