- For staves in other games, see Staves (Dragon Age II) and Staves (Inquisition).
Staves are the two-handed weapons of choice for mages. Each staff has a weak, long range default attack that costs no mana. Below is a list of significant staves found in-game. Staves always hit (though it can miss if targets have "chance to dodge attack" properties, e.g. Evasion), but never hit critically. Staves are always made from metals for the purposes of their statistics, though some of the textures for them give them the appearance of wood, such as Morrigan's starting Magic Staff or the Oak Branch.
Calculating damage[]
Staff damage formula[]
Staff damage is directly influenced by spellpower:
StaffDamage = BaseDamage + Spellpower * 0.25 * StaffFocusAdjustment * (1 + damageBonus) * Rand(0.75:1)
BaseDamage
- The damage number listed in the staff's description, e.g. for Acolyte's Staff BaseDamage would be 4.00
Spellpower
- The mage's base spellpower is the value of the magic attribute minus 10. Therefore, it is modified not only by +X spellpower effects but also by +X magic effects. Each staff also has a spellpower value which is added to the mage's spellpower.
- The current total spellpower (including all modifiers from the staff, other equipment and spell effects) is displayed on the lower left side of the character screen below the defense value.
StaffFocusAdjustment
- 1.0 without Staff Focus
- 4/3 (~1.33) with Staff Focus
DamageBonus This variable depends on the damage type of the staff:
- Fire: 0.2
- Ice (Cold): 0.15
- Cold: 0.1
- Lightning (Electricity): 0.1
- Poison (Nature): 0.15
- Physical: 0.0
While there are two possibilities for cold damage, all staves in the base game and DLCs use the 0.15 multiplier.
Rand As with attribute bonuses for other weapons, the spellpower component is multiplied by a random number. For staves, it is in the range [0.75:1] (average 0.875).
Here on the Dragon Age Wiki, the damage type of a staff is listed in parentheses next to the damage value in its description. The only method to determine it during normal gameplay is by looking at the damage colour during combat. See notes section for more information.
Elemental modifiers[]
The following only affects staves that deal elemental damage, i.e. fire, cold, nature or electricity (there is currently no staff that deals spirit damage).
Elemental damage modifiers
If the staff inflicts elemental damage then gear boosting that type of damage will boost staff damage as well up to a maximum of +30%, e.g. for a staff dealing cold damage, with the maximum cold damage bonus of +30%, multiply the Staffdamage (as calculated per the formula above) by 1.3.
Elemental resistance modifiers
Spells such as Vulnerability Hex and Affliction Hex will also increase your total damage with an elemental staff by decreasing the enemies resistance to elemental damage by up to 100%. This can provide another StaffDamage multiplier of up to 2 (at -100% resistance).
So for elemental staves the formula would be
ElementalStaffDamage = StaffDamage * ElementalDamageModifier * ElementalResistanceModifier
So, if you want extremely high staff damage in the 100s then high spellpower (Spell Wisp, Spell Might, and Stone Aura), and an elemental staff with hexes are the way to go.
Example[]
If the character has Staff Focus and equips Wintersbreath and other items that provide the maximum +30% cold damage modifier, and the target is fully debuffed with -100% cold resistance, the elemental damage multiplier would be 1.3 and the elemental resistance multiplier would be 2.
Combining the 2 above formulas, the staff's average damage would then be
Damage = (6.4 + spellpower * 0.25 * 4/3 * 1.15 * 0.875) * 1.3 * 2
or (shortened)
Damage = 16.64 + spellpower * 0.872
Example spellpower/Damage values:
- 50 spellpower: 60 damage
- 100 spellpower: 104 damage
- 150 spellpower: 147 damage
- 170 spellpower: 165 damage
Other Class Talents[]
Several other classes have Talents that can increase staff damage as well. Particularly Stone Aura (+3 staff base damage) and Mark of Death (+20% to final damage).
Properties[]
Name | Attribute | Attribute Modifier | Aim Time | Speed Modifier |
---|---|---|---|---|
Staves | No Bonus | None | 0.1 |
Scaling[]
PC[]
Tier | Base damage | Armor penetration | Critical chance | Range | Requisite | Runes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron (Tier 1) | 4.00 | 20.00 | 0.00 | 50.00 | 16 magic | 0 |
Grey Iron (Tier 2) | 4.40 | 23.00 | 0.00 | 52.50 | 18 magic | 0 |
Steel (Tier 3) | 4.80 | 26.00 | 0.00 | 55.00 | 20 magic | 0 |
Veridium (Tier 4) | 5.20 | 29.00 | 0.00 | 57.50 | 24 magic | 0 |
Red Steel (Tier 5) | 5.60 | 32.00 | 0.00 | 60.00 | 30 magic | 0 |
Silverite (Tier 6) | 6.00 | 35.00 | 0.00 | 62.50 | 32 magic | 0 |
Dragonbone (Tier 7) | 6.40 | 40.00 | 0.00 | 65.00 | 36 magic | 0 |
White Steel (Tier 8) | 6.80 | 45.00 | 0.00 | 67.50 | 40 magic | 0 |
Volcanic Aurum (Tier 9) | 7.20 | 50.00 | 0.00 | 70.00 | 44 magic | 0 |
Consoles[]
Tier | Base damage | Armor penetration | Critical chance | Range | Requisite | Runes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iron (Tier 1) | 3.00 | 20.00 | 0.00 | 50.00 | 16 magic | 0 |
Grey Iron (Tier 2) | 3.30 | 23.00 | 0.00 | 52.50 | 18 magic | 0 |
Steel (Tier 3) | 3.60 | 26.00 | 0.00 | 55.00 | 20 magic | 0 |
Veridium (Tier 4) | 3.90 | 29.00 | 0.00 | 57.50 | 24 magic | 0 |
Red Steel (Tier 5) | 4.20 | 32.00 | 0.00 | 60.00 | 30 magic | 0 |
Silverite (Tier 6) | 4.50 | 35.00 | 0.00 | 62.50 | 32 magic | 0 |
Dragonbone (Tier 7) | 4.80 | 40.00 | 0.00 | 65.00 | 36 magic | 0 |
White Steel (Tier 8) | 5.10 | 45.00 | 0.00 | 67.50 | 40 magic | 0 |
Volcanic Aurum (Tier 9) | 5.40 | 50.00 | 0.00 | 70.00 | 44 magic | 0 |
Staves[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
Name | Damage |
Critical chance | Armor penetration | Strength modifier | Runes | Enhancements | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acolyte's Staff Iron Requires: 16 magic |
4.00 (Physical) | 20.00 | 0 | +2 spellpower | Found in various locations in Circle Tower. Restriction: Mage | ||
Blackened Heartwood Staff Iron Requires: 16 magic |
4.00 (Nature) | 20.00 | 0 | +2 damage +2 spellpower |
Found in chest in basement of Mage Tower during the Mage Origin. Restriction: Mage | ||
Corrupted Magister's Staff Red Steel Requires: 30 magic |
5.60 (Physical) | 32.00 | 0 | +5 spellpower +15% spirit damage Possible paralysis (5%) |
Requires the Return to Ostagar DLC Restriction: Mage | ||
Darkspawn Staff Varies Requires: 16-18 magic |
4.00-4.40 (Nature) | 20.00-23.00 | 0 | +1 spellpower +5% spirit damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Enchanter's Staff Varies Requires: 16-36 magic |
4.00-6.40 (Cold) | 20.00-40.00 | 0 | +1 magic +10% spirit resistance +5% cold damage +5% electricity damage +5% fire damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Final Reason Silverite Requires: 32 magic |
6.00 (Physical) | 35.00 | 0 | +3 damage +10 spellpower +15% fire damage |
Requires the Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition DLC Restriction: Mage | ||
Harrowmont's Staff Steel Requires: 20 magic |
4.80 (Electricity) | 26.00 | 0 | +1 magic +2 constitution |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Heaven's Wrath Silverite Requires: 32 magic |
6.00 (Electricity) | 35.00 | 0 | +1/+2 mana regeneration in combat +5 spellpower +10% electricity damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Lightning Rod Grey Iron Requires: 18 magic |
4.40 (Electricity) | 23.00 | 0 | +10% Electricity Resistance +10% electricity damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Magic Staff Varies Requires: 16-20 magic |
4.00-4.80 (Physical) | 20.00-26.00 | 0 | +1 magic | Restriction: Mage | ||
Magister's Staff Silverite Requires: 32 magic |
6.00 (Fire) | 35.00 | 0 | +1/+2 mana regeneration in combat +5 spellpower +10% spirit damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Malign Staff Veridium Requires: 24 magic |
5.20 (Physical) | 29.00 | 0 | +1/+2 mana regeneration in combat +5 spellpower -1 willpower +10% spirit damage +10% electricity damage |
Looted from the Hurlock general in the Denerim Alienage during the Battle of Denerim and purchased in Leliana's Song DLC from Bonny Lem. | ||
Oak Branch Veridium Requires: 24 magic |
5.20 (Nature) | 29.00 | 0 | +1 magic +2 constitution 10% nature damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Piece of Wood Veridium Requires: 24 magic |
5.20 (Physical) | 29.00 | 0 | +1 constitution +10% nature resistance |
|||
Pyromancer's Brand Grey Iron Requires: 18 magic |
4.40 (Fire) | 23.00 | 0 | +1 spellpower +10% fire damage |
Sold by Owen in Redcliffe after the battle. Restriction: Mage | ||
Shaperate's Blessing Silverite Requires: 32 magic |
6.00 (Cold) | 35.00 | 0 | +2 willpower +0.5/+1.0 mana regeneration in combat +10% cold damage |
Possible reward upon completion of The Shaper's Life. Currently bugged, see the page for a workaround. Sold by Octham the Grocer in Awakening. Restriction: Mage | ||
Staff of the Ephemeral Order Silverite Requires: 32 magic |
6.00 (Physical) | 35.00 | 0 | +3 willpower +5% spirit damage |
Available at Alarith's store (Elven Alienage) in Origins, and Octham the Grocer (City of Amaranthine) in Awakening. Restriction: Mage | ||
Staff of the Magister Lord Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Cold) | 40.00 | 0 | +6 willpower +2/+4 mana regeneration in combat +6 spellpower +10% spirit damage +10% fire damage |
Sold by the Quartermaster in the Circle Tower for 128 88 0 Restriction: Mage | ||
Sylvan's Mercy Veridium Requires: 24 magic |
5.20 (Nature) | 29.00 | 0 | +5% nature resistance +1 spellpower +10% nature damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Torch of Embers Steel Requires: 20 magic |
4.80 (Fire) | 26.00 | 0 | +10% fire resistance +3 spellpower +10% fire damage |
Purchased at the Wonders of Thedas shop in Denerim Restriction: Mage | ||
Valor's Staff Iron |
3.00 (Physical) | 20.00 | 0 | Fade only Restriction: Fade only | |||
Wilhelm's Magus Staff Grey Iron Requires: 18 magic |
4.40 (Physical) | 23.00 | 0 | +3 willpower +25% fire resistance +10% fire damage +10% electricity damage |
This item is given in return for making a bargain with Kitty, during the quest The Golem in Honnleath. Requires The Stone Prisoner DLC. Restriction: Mage | ||
Winter's Breath Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Cold) | 40.00 | 0 | +25% cold resistance +15% cold damage Radiates cold |
Obtained from the corpse of the Rage Demon in the Great Hall of Soldier's Peak. Requires the Warden's Keep DLC Restriction: Mage | ||
Wintersbreath Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Cold) | 40.00 | 0 | +25% cold resistance +3 spellpower +10% cold damage Radiates cold |
Available at Wonders of Thedas in Origins, and from Octham the Grocer in Awakening. Restriction: Mage |
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening[]
Name | Damage |
Critical chance | Armor penetration | Strength modifier | Runes | Enhancements | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Call of the Inferno White Steel Requires: 40 magic |
6.80 (Fire) | 45.00 | 0 | Rapid aim (-0.2s) +5% cold resistance +10 spellpower +15% fire damage |
Found in an urn in the Forbidden Chamber in Vigil's Keep - Deep Roads during the quest It Comes From Beneath. Restriction: Mage | ||
Charlatan's Walking Stick Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Physical) | 40.00 | 0 | +5 willpower +1 mana regeneration in combat +7 spellpower |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Darkspawn Staff Varies Requires: 16 magic |
4.00 (Nature) | 20.00 | 0 | +1 cunning +2 spellpower +5% spirit damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
The Dragon's Call Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Fire) | 40.00 | 0 | +3 willpower +0.25 mana regeneration in combat +5 spellpower |
Restriction: The Warden-Commander | ||
Flemeth's Broomstick Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Nature) | 40.00 | 0 | +10 spellpower +10% nature damage |
This staff is found in the Smuggler's Cove in the City of Amaranthine on the corpse of a darkspawn leader during the quest Assault on Amaranthine. Restriction: Mage | ||
Heart of the Forest Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Cold) | 40.00 | 0 | +6 willpower +2 mana regeneration in combat +6 spellpower +10% fire damage |
Equipped by Velanna when she joins the party. Restriction: Mage | ||
Lamppost in Winter Volcanic Aurum Requires: 44 magic |
7.20 (Cold) | 50.00 | 0 | Rapid aim +5% fire resistance +12 spellpower +20% cold damage |
Dropped from the third darkspawn general in Smuggler's Cove during The Assault on Amaranthine. Restriction: Mage | ||
Lightning Rod Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Electricity) | 40.00 | 0 | +8 spellpower +10% electricity damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Spellfury Volcanic Aurum Requires: 44 magic |
7.20 (Physical) | 50.00 | 0 | +4 all attributes Rapid aim (-0.4s) +1/+2 mana regeneration in combat +20 spellpower |
Sold by Octham the Grocer in the City of Amaranthine Restriction: Mage | ||
Staff of the Lost Volcanic Aurum Requires: 44 magic |
7.20 (Physical) | 50.00 | 0 | +10 magic +15% spirit resistance +15 spellpower +75 stamina +50% spirit damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Staff of Shadows Dragonbone Requires: 36 magic |
6.40 (Fire) | 40.00 | 0 | +2 magic +3 spellpower +5% fire damage |
Acquisition unknown (possibly unobtainable) Restriction: The Warden-Commander | ||
Staff of Vigor Volcanic Aurum Requires: 44 magic |
7.20 (Physical) | 50.00 | 0 | +5 constitution +1 to health regeneration in combat Rapid aim (-0.3s) +10 spellpower |
Restriction: Mage |
Leliana's Song[]
Name | Damage |
Critical chance | Armor penetration | Strength modifier | Runes | Enhancements | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sketch's Split-Shaft Veridium Requires: 24 magic |
5.20 (Physical) | 29.00 | 0 | +2 Magic +1 Spellpower |
Sketch starts with this staff. Restriction: Mage |
The Darkspawn Chronicles[]
Name | Damage |
Critical chance | Armor penetration | Strength modifier | Runes | Enhancements | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Darkspawn Staff Ironbark |
5.60 (Nature) | 36.00 | 0 | +5 magic +1 mana regeneration in combat +10% fire damage |
Restriction: Mage | ||
Malign Staff Ironbark |
5.60 (Physical) | 36.00 | 0 | +8 magic +2.5 mana regeneration in combat +20% fire damage +10% spirit damage |
Found in a chest during Assault on the Palaces in The Darkspawn Chronicles Restriction: Mage |
Notes[]
Damage type determination[]
There is no information in a staff's in-game description about the type of damage it does. Therefore, as mentioned above, the only method to determine the damage type during normal gameplay is by looking at the colour of the damage numbers during combat and comparing them to the damage colour glossary.
On the it is possible to verify the damage type of the Origins staves with the use of the toolset.
You can look them up in the palette window under the item tab (small sword icon) in the following folder:
_GLOBAL / Weapons, Mage / Staves
Some staves might not be in that list, check the individual quest folders under the items tab such as Background - Human and Elf Mage (Valor's Staff), etc.
If you open a local copy of the staff (by right clicking and selecting "open local copy" from the menu), then open "Variables" (last entry in the "Attributes" section), the value under the PROJECTILE_OVERRIDE entry will indicate the damage type:
- no value = physical damage
- 125 = fire damage
- 126 = cold damage
- 128 = electricity damage
- 129 = nature damage
|