Ahhh staffs… or is it staves? Either way, Baldur’s Gate 3 has lots of them, and choosing the right one can be tricky if you’re trying to optimize your party or want to specialize your character build. Most commonly seen in the hands of mages and assorted magic users, the staff is a simple melee weapon that can be used in various ways. Some are stronger than others, of course, and as you progress through the game you’ll work your way through some of the best around.
7. Melf's First Staff
Melf’s First Staff is an early game Quarterstaff that will serve your party well on their journeys in the Underdark region of Act One, where it can be bought. The staff can spew burning acid arrows at your foes, a great party trick to be sure. While not as strong as some late-game staves, Melf’s First Staff will keep you and your party in the fight.
What Melf’s First Staff Excels At:
- Easy to Find: This staff can be bought from Blurg, the trader in the Myconid Colony located in the Underdark.
- Acid Arrow: A unique ability of this staff brought on by the elven magic infused into it, Melf’s First Staff shoots a magical arrow that deals Acid damage to your target.
- Better Spells and Saves: The wielder is granted a small buff to their Spell Save DC and Spell Attack Rolls.
Melf’s First Staff Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 1 (one-handed) or 1d8 + 1 (two-handed)
- Effects: Enchantment + 1
- Arcane Enchantment: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell attack rolls.
- Melf’s Acid Arrow: Deals 4d4 acid damage on use, and 2d4 acid damage at the end of the target's next turn.
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Value: 100gp
Location:
Melf’s First Staff can be bought from Blurg, the trader in the Myconid Colony located in the Underdark.
6. Staff of Arcane Blessing
Still in the Underdark, the Staff of Arcane Blessing is just a short hike away from #7. Located near the Arcane Tower, this staff requires a bit of legwork to get your hands on. It’s more than worth the effort though, as this staff grants the ability to Bless party members, and all Bless spells cast by the wielder are given an additional +1d4 to Spell Attack Rolls!
What Staff of Arcane Blessing Excel’s At:
- Helping Your Party: This staff can cast Bless when wielded, and when cast, all Blessed targets gain an additional +1d4 on top of the spell bonus.
- Versatile: Can be wielded in one hand or two, so feel free to pair it up with another staff!
- Early Game Staff: Found in Act One, this staff provides a decent weapon for magic-based characters to wield during the early stages of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Staff of Arcane Bless Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 (One-handed) or 1d8 (two-handed)
- Mystra's Blessing: Gain an additional 1d4 to Saving Throws and Attack rolls when Blessed. Spell attacks also get an extra 2d4.
- Bless: Cast as a Level 1 Spell, recharges once per long rest.
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Value: 100gp
Location:
Found inside the basement of the Arcane Tower in the Underdark. To get to the basement, you must either speak with Bernard on the top floor to get access, or, use a feather-falling spell to jump down and make your way inside through a gap in the wall. Be sure to look around!
5. Staff of the Emperor
The Staff of the Emperor is a rare staff available by disarming its owner. While acquiring the staff might be tricky, the weapon boasts some impressive stats and abilities. The nature of this staff makes it perfect as a secondary weapon for a wizard character.
What the Staff of the Emperor Excels At:
- Mage’s Friend: This staff will feel perfectly at home in the hands of wizards like Gale as it grants bonuses to Spell Saves and Spell Attack rolls.
- Stunning Staff: Using the weapon's unique ability, enemies must succeed an intelligence check or become stunned.
- Value: While not tremendously valuable, this staff can be sold for a quick 190 gold if needed.
Staff of the Emperor Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 (one-handed) or 1d8 + 2 (two-handed)
- Effects: Enchantment + 2
- Arcane Enchantment: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell attack rolls.
- Imperial Retaliation: Upon a successful Saving throw, whichever enemy caused the throw needs to make an Intelligence Saving throw or be Stunned for a turn.
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Value: 190gp
Location:
Wielded by the Emperor, you can get your hands on this staff by disarming him.
4. Incandescent Staff
The power of the inferno in the palm of your hands.
The Incandescent Staff is one of the most powerful options in the game. Available in Act Two of Baldur’s Gate 3, this staff can cast either a fireball as a level 3 spell or afirebolt as a cantrip. These abilities make it an extremely effective weapon, perfect for almost any situation.
What Incandescent Staff Excels At:
- Flinging Flaming Fire: As one of the unique weapon actions, cast either a firebolt or fireball.
- Value: Coming in at an impressive 770gp, this staff can be sold for some extra gold should you need it.
- Easy Access: Easily purchased at the Last Light Inn during Act Two; speak with Quartermaster Talli to purchase it.
Incandescent Staf Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 (one-handed) or 1d8 (two-handed)
- Firebolt: Cast a firebolt cantrip at will.
- Fireball: Cast as a level 3 spell, recharges once per long rest.
- Bonus: The wielder gains a +1 ranged spell attack and resistance to fire damage.
- Rarity: Very rare
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Value: 770gp
Location:
Buy this staff from Quartermaster Talli, found at the Last Light Inn during Act Two.
3. Staff of Spellpower
With the Staff of Spellpower, wield the power of spells…duh.
Truly a late-game weapon, this staff can be found in the House of Hope during Act Three. The Staff of Spellpower lives up to the name by enabling you to keep your spellcaster going strong thanks to its Arcane Battery ability. The staff is a great secondary staff for a wizard to wield in battle!
What Staff of Spellpower Excels At:
- A Perfect Companion: Since the abilities of this staff focus more on giving your character extra spell abilities, this is a great option to wield in your off-hand alongside an offence-minded staff.
- Spell Retention: Using the Arcane Battery Ability, you can cast a spell without expending a spell slot!
- Magic Bonus: Gain a bonus + 1 to Spell Saving Throws and Spell Attack Rolls.
Staff of Spellpower Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 (one-handed) or 1d8 + 2 (two-handed)
- Enchantment: + 2
- Arcane Battery: The next spell you cast doesn't cost a spell slot.
- Arcane Enchantment: +1 bonus to your Spell Saving Throws and Spell Attack Rolls.
- Rarity: Very rare
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Price: 480gp
Location:
Found in the House of Hope during Act Three.
2. Woe
Woah…Woe?
Woe is a staff belonging to the vampire, Cazador Szarr, and can be acquired by completing the quest The Pale Elf. Fittingly for a vampire’s weapon, Woe has the chance to syphon health points from targets should they fail any saving throws related to your spells. This is great for the magic wielders in Baldur’s Gate 3, as they usually find themselves on the short end of the stick when it comes to health points.
What Woe Excels At:
- Magic Vampirism: If any creature affected by your spells fails an associated Saving Throw, you gain points!
- Bound: This staff can’t be knocked from your hands, and if thrown, will automatically return to you.
- Spellcasters Rejoice: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Saving Throws and Spell attack rolls thanks to Woe’s enchantments.
Woe Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 (one-handed) or 1d8 + 2 (two-handed)
- Effects: Enchantment +2
- Arcane Vampirism: When the target suffering from your spells fails any associated Saving Throws, you regain 1d4 hit points.
- Blight: Cast as a level 4 spell, deal 8d8 Necrotic damage to your target.
- Bound: This weapon cannot be knocked from your hands and will return to them if thrown.
- Arcane Enchantment: Wielder gains a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell attack rolls.
- Rarity: Very rare
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Value: 480gp
Location:
Rewarded for defeating Cazador Szarr during The Pale Elf questline. Speak with Astarion and work through his dialogue throughout the game to gain access to this quest.
1. Markoheshkir
Despite having a name that you can only guess how to pronounce, Markoheshkir is an extremely powerful staff that you don’t want to miss! Found on the bottom floor of Ramazith's Tower, this staff is embedded with the magic of a dragon goddess. You can make use of this staff to imbue your character with an elemental of your choosing; gaining resistance and spells related to the element.
What Markoheshkir Excels At:
- Legendary: This is the only Legendary Staff in the game, and its stats certainly reflect that!
- Channel the elements: Using Kereska’s Favour, the wielder channels an element and unlocks resistances and spells associated with it.
- High Damage: As a melee weapon itself, this staff has exceptionally high damage compared to most staves.
Markoheshkir Stats:
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 (one-handed) 1d8 + 2 (two-handed)
- Effects: Enchantment + 2
- Arcane Enchantment: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell attack rolls..
- Arcane Battery: Alleviate the arcane burden of spellcasting with the power of this staff. The next spell you cast doesn't cost a spell slot.
- Kereska's Favour: Cast as a level four spell, this ability allows the user to imbue themselves with elemental energy. As a result, you unlock any resistances and spells associated with that element.
- Rarity: Legendary
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Value: 640gp
Location:
Found on the bottom floor of Ramazith's Tower, be sure to walk around the area to find all the invisible levers needed to disable the barrier protecting the staff. You can also use a “see invisibility” spell.
