Draft:Quarterstaff

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Omega 0.90.4

A quarterstaff is an inexpensive, two-handed striking weapon. Its combination of accuracy and striking damage can be useful early, but its weight and occupation of both hands are real costs. It is a melee weapon, not an activatable magical staff.[1]

Generation

Julie's sells a fully identified, uncursed +0 quarterstaff for 60 Au. Ordinary random treasure, pawn-shop stock and acquirement are other sources. It has item level 1, with random blessing and enchantment determined separately from its familiar name.[2]

Description

Both weapon hand and ready hand must hold the quarterstaff before its wielded bonuses apply. A shield can still occupy the separate shield slot and contribute defense. Packing the staff or exchanging it for another item clears both hand references to that one weapon; the two occupied slots do not represent extra copies.[3]

Its usual attack is a Strength-assisted strike; it can also lunge. It does not grant bonus maneuvers or a special staff-defense modifier. Its high weapon hit helps attacks, while defense comes from the character's chosen maneuvers and equipment rules. Its damage remains physical.[4]

It can tunnel without a weapon-damage attempt on a normal tunneling mishap, or be thrown under ordinary throwing rules. The staff does not gain magical charges, and charging or activating a magical stick is a different operation.[5]

Strategy

Against an equally enchanted club, the staff adds two points of accuracy and three damage points, but weighs 50 more, needs both hands and costs 50 Au more at Julie's. A mace trades four of the staff's points of accuracy for three more damage points and frees the ready hand while reducing weight. These are different strengths, not a single upgrade ladder.[6]

A character who values accuracy with a Strength-assisted strike may find the staff useful. Check total carried weight before buying it: its 80 weight is more than a great-sword's 75, despite the staff's modest price and damage. Carrying it in just one hand does not provide a compromise between those costs and full wielded bonuses.[7]

References