View source for 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.

== 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 point]]s.  Runestaves are also the only form of defense which provide [[parry]] defense versus [[ranged]] (spell bolts, hurled weapons, arrows) attacks, although at a reduced rate.

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

== Runestaff Abilities ==

=== 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 runstaves 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 ===
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 my be permanent:

<div {{log}}>The pale faewood staff is capped with an apparatus of two interlocked rings and three triangular segments that come together at a sharp angle.  <b>The springs appear to be in absolutely pristine and perfect condition.</b>  The tip is currently empty, revealing a deep recess in the center of the staff.</div>

Or degrade over time and require repairs, as apparent by the item [[SHOW]] (in this case, a fresh yet degradable runestaff):
<div {{log}}>The pale faewood staff is capped with an apparatus of two interlocked rings and three triangular segments that come together at a sharp angle.  <b>The springs appear to be in a flawless and undamaged state.</b>  The tip is currently empty, revealing a deep recess in the center of the staff.</div>

== Training Requirements ==

Though any amount of training in magical skills will provide runestaff [[DS]], 8 ranks of magical skills per [[level]] will generate DS equal to that provided by training 1x ranks in [[Two-Handed Weapons]]. '''This does not include the 10 bonus ranks received by runestaff users'''. Each converted weapon rank adds 0.30 DS in offensive [[stance]] and 1.05 DS in defensive stance.

<small>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.</small>
 
Select the appropriate formula from the three below to convert magical ranks to weapon ranks, or use the [[#Magic Ranks/Weapon Ranks Conversion Table|table]] below.
 
1. Less than 4 magic ranks per level
<div {{prettydiv}}>Parry Ranks = 10 + ((3 &times; magic ranks) &divide; (20))</div>
 
2. Between 4 and 11 magic ranks per level
<div {{prettydiv}}>Parry ranks = 10 + level + [((magic ranks) - (8 &times; level)) &divide; 10]</div>

3. More than 11 magic ranks per level
<div {{prettydiv}}>Parry Ranks = 10 + (level &times; 13/10) + [((magic ranks) - (11 &times; level)) &divide; 20]</div>

=== Magical Skills ===
{| {{prettytable}}
 |-
 | [[Elemental_Mana_Control|Elemental Mana Control]]
 | [[Mental_Mana_Control|Mental Mana Control]]
 |-
 | [[Spiritual_Mana_Control|Spiritual Mana Control]]
 | [[Sorcerous_Lores|Sorcerous Lores]]
 |-
 | [[Elemental_Lores|Elemental Lores]]
 | [[Mental_Lores|Mental Lores]]
 |-
 | [[Spiritual_Lores|Spiritual Lores]]
 | [[Spell_Aiming|Spell Aiming]]
 |-
 | [[Arcane_Symbols|Arcane Symbols]]
 | [[Magic_Item_Use|Magic Item Use]]
 |-
 | [[Spell_Research|Spell Research]]
 | [[Harness_Power|Harness Power]]
 |}

==Game Mechanics==
A runestaff may also be used offensively. When used in this manner it is classified as a [[Two-handed Weapons|two-handed weapon]] and its [[Attack Strength|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 table start}}
{{Weapon table runestaff}}
{{Weapon table end}}

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'''
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==Runestaff Parry DS (Melee)==

Step 1: Calculate Base Value

 <tt>10 + Weapon Ranks + trunc([[Strength|STR bonus]] &divide; 4) + trunc([[Dexterity|DEX bonus]] &divide; 4) = Base Value</tt>

Step 2: Calculate Parry DS

 <tt>(Base Value &times; Stance modifier &times; 1.5) + Stance Bonus + Runestaff Enchant Bonus = Parry DS</tt>

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

===Example (Melee)===

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

Step 1: Divide total magic ranks by level
 <tt>660 &divide; 60 = 11</tt>

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.
 <tt>60 &times; 1.30 = 78 weapon ranks</tt>

Step 3: Enter this value in the runestaff parry formula along with stats to determine the Base Value.

 <tt>10 + weapon ranks + trunc(STR bonus &divide; 4) + trunc (DEX bonus) = Base value</tt>

 <tt>10 + 78 + (20 &divide; 4) + (20 &divide; 4) = 98 (Base Value)</tt>

Step 4: Enter base value, stance modifier and enchant bonus into formula. Truncate result after each operation.

 <tt>(Base Value &times; Stance modifier &times; 1.5) + Stance Bonus + Runestaff Enchant Bonus = Parry DS</tt>

 <tt>(98 &times; 0.60 &times; 1.5) + 40 + 25 = 152 Guarded Stance [[Melee]] Parry DS</tt>

<small>Note: The 1.5 multiplier in the formula represents the two-hand weapon bonus which also applies to runestaff users.</small>
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==Runestaff Parry DS (Ranged)==

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

 <tt>((Base Value &times; Stance Modifier &times; 1.5) &divide; 2) + (Stance Bonus &divide; 2) + (Runestaff Enchant bonus &divide; 2)</tt>

===Example (Ranged)===

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

Step 1: Divide total magic ranks by level
 <tt>660 &divide; 60 = 11</tt>

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.
 <tt>60 &times; 1.30 = 78 weapon ranks</tt>

Step 3: Enter this value in the runestaff parry formula along with stats to determine the Base Value.

 <tt>10 + weapon ranks + trunc(STR bonus &divide; 4) + trunc (DEX bonus) = Base value</tt>

 <tt>10 + 78 + (20 &divide; 4) + (20 &divide; 4) = 98 (Base Value)</tt>

Step 4: Enter base value, stance modifier and enchant bonus into formula. Truncate result after each operation.

 <tt>((Base Value &times; Stance modifier &times; 1.5) &divide; 2) + (Stance Bonus &divide; 2) + (Runestaff Enchant Bonus &divide; 2) = Parry DS</tt>

 <tt>((98 &times; 0.60 &times; 1.5) &divide; 2) + (40 &divide; 2) + (25 &divide; 2) = 75 Guarded Stance Ranged Parry DS</tt>
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==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. 

{|{{prettytable}}
|-style = "background:#DDD; color: blue"
!Magic Ranks<br>per Level
!Weapon Ranks<br>Conversion
!
!Magic Ranks<br>per Level
!Weapon Ranks<br>Conversion
|-align=center
|'''1'''
|Level &times; 0.15
|
|'''9'''
|Level &times; 1.10
|-align=center
|'''2'''
|Level &times; 0.30
|
|'''10'''
|Level &times; 1.20
|-align=center
|'''3'''
|Level &times; 0.45
|
|'''11'''
|Level &times; 1.30
|-align=center
|'''4'''
|Level &times; 0.60
|
|'''12'''
|Level &times; 1.35
|-align=center
|'''5'''
|Level &times; 0.70
|
|'''13'''
|Level &times; 1.40
|-align=center
|'''6'''
|Level &times; 0.80
|
|'''14'''
|Level &times; 1.45
|-align=center
|'''7'''
|Level &times; 0.90
|
|'''15'''
|Level &times; 1.50
|-align=center
|'''8'''
|Level &times; 1.00
|
|'''16'''
|Level &times; 1.55
|}

==Stance Modifiers==

{|{{prettytable}}
|-style = "background:#DDD; color: blue"
!Stance
!Modifier
|-align=center
|'''Offensive'''
|0.20
|-align=center
|'''Advance'''
|0.30
|-align=center
|'''Forward'''
|0.40
|-align=center
|'''Neutral'''
|0.50
|-align=center
|'''Guarded'''
|0.60
|-align=center
|'''Defensive'''
|0.70
|}

==Stance Bonuses==

{|{{prettytable}}
|-style = "background:#DDD; color: blue"
!Stance
!DS Bonus
|-align=center
|'''Offensive'''
|0
|-align=center
|'''Advance'''
|10
|-align=center
|'''Forward'''
|20
|-align=center
|'''Neutral'''
|30
|-align=center
|'''Guarded'''
|40
|-align=center
|'''Defensive'''
|50
|}

==See Also==
*[[Runestaff (saved post)]]
*[[Wand-holding runestaves (saved post)]]
*[[Runestaff name alternatives (saved post)]]
*[[Two-handed Weapons]]
*[[List of woods]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/info/combatguide.asp#staves Combat Guide: Rune Staves], on Play.net
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[[category:Weapons]]