Wands? They seem so weak compared to other weapons

[CelestialRebirth]

In the JP version, I'm running a Kind character that uses a Wand/Staff build, yes I have a lot of SP problems but wow, the staff shows it's true power in the level 18+ weapon range as the newer staves start getting powerful skills that are not heal-based, it's amazing.

Staves feel like the Alpha wands. Wands are great for aoe and burst(Fireball is a great high damage skill with a short cd, good boss killer), but I do wonder if the high SP costs are intentional for it's damage output?

[Sylvienne]

In the JP version, I'm running a Kind character that uses a Wand/Staff build, yes I have a lot of SP problems but wow, the staff shows it's true power in the level 18+ weapon range as the newer staves start getting powerful skills that are not heal-based, it's amazing.

Staves feel like the Alpha wands. Wands are great for aoe and burst(Fireball is a great high damage skill with a short cd, good boss killer), but I do wonder if the high SP costs are intentional for it's damage output?

Wisdom gives a flat decrease to sp costs. For example, I'm at 50 wisdom and my skills cost 32 mp less. There's a table floating around showing the breakpoint bonuses for all the stats when you hit 10, 20, 30 ... So if the fireball was cheaper, it'd be essentially free to spam. At least the level 1 version.

[CelestialRebirth]

I did not know Wisdom affected MP costs.

I love caster classes with the added benefit of having a good support role that does more than just heal. Does the Mind stat affect Staff skill costs as well?

[AndyKelden]

I've played up to Kyoto at this point (which got me all of level 20), and I'm not seeing these wisdom discounts. My spells still cost hundreds of SP, and pale in comparison to the physical weapons damage output. (i can't speak for staff, since I haven't seen anyone fight with one yet) I levelled along side a dex user and a vit user, and they kill everything in far less hits, with much less SP spent. Meanwhile, I'm ruining my weapon's durability trying to SP charge to keep fighting the same enemy i used my whole meter trying to kill.

I thought "melee gets a discount since they have to get close to hit they enemy"....until i saw that call lightning casts at point blank, can be interrupted before it finishes casting (which leaves me short health, and 110 SP), and hits for less than lightning slash on any enemy we tested it on.

I can't spam spells to keep up with the other classes. My skills cost 2-3 times more, and do about a quarter of the damage. Maybe once you hit 30/40/50 it fixes itself, but with the exp rates the way they are, that's FAR too long to be ineffective and not having fun playing your character.

[Noblesse]

Hi,

I actually would love to get this topic more attention as I noticed wands are completely unbalanced in power. If someone with more experience can explain to me why that may be the case that would be really wonderful. All my life I've been a sword user for mmos but I want to use a wand (primarily) this time. First, I noticed the damage output is half the damage output by spear, swords(katanas) etc. I have friends who are 2 lvls lower than me and their damage is double my wand casting skills even tho all of our skills are all maxed out and lvled. If they critical 2k, I only critical like 900. Some of my same lvl friends even critical close to 3k and my strongest skill fire ball rank 2 skilled closely maxed only crits 1.3k. I am lvl 17 and I have been increasing primarily wisdom for magic attacks throughout the game.

Secondly, magatamas so far for me (correct me if I'm wrong but others in the forum posted this concern as well) only have affinities, skill boosts, skill force etc only tailored towards bows, swords, axes, spears (EVERYTHING) BUT wands. I can't find a magatama suited for wand users. Wand users are completely at a disadvantage right now and I hope it will balance more in open beta.

Furthermore, if I use 2 strong skills my sps are gone. I've heard others having the same problem. The consumptions for wand skill users are so expensive it's ridiculous. Also, I'm not sure if this is a bug but my lvl 1 first aid heals more (50-60hp) than my lvl 2 first aid(10-14hp)?

Solutions to this could be: make more wand type magatamas introduced into the game, balance the power or at least decrease sp consumption of wand casting skills or increasing SP max per point used to increased wisdom. I am sure many wand users are facing the same issue I am trying to elaborate.

[Lazgrane]

You guys do realized that wand have a ranged basic combo right?

[Jung]

You guys do realized that wand have a ranged basic combo right?

Oh look at the low damage, single target hits I'm dishing out!

Oh what's that? My Odachi friend just R-clicked and hit 4000 with 30 or so mana? Herp derp, I can AoE too! And there's half my mana.

[MizaR]

I can't spam spells to keep up with the other classes. My skills cost 2-3 times more, and do about a quarter of the damage. Maybe once you hit 30/40/50 it fixes itself, but with the exp rates the way they are, that's FAR too long to be ineffective and not having fun playing your character.

I'm pretty much at lvl 30 currently lvl 29 and i can only spam 1 skill or two depending which skills i use, my damage is no better for that 1 or 2 skill shots. The other classes seem to cast skills over and over, which easily out power me. I've gone a full damage build, not 1 point spent on vitality. I actually feel sorry for parties who have wands users, we literately hit 1 or two skills and were useless.

[Jung]

You guys do realized that wand have a ranged basic combo right?

Oh look at the low damage, single target hits I'm dishing out!

Oh what's that? My Odachi friend just R-clicked and hit 4000 with 30 or so mana? Herp derp, I can AoE too! And there's half my mana.

Do you realized that successful attacks give you mana?

Do you realize that a melee only needs to slash 2 times to get all the mana back to use his skills again?

Do you realize 1 mana pot = 6 skills for melee, 2 for mage?

[Lazgrane]

You guys do realized that wand have a ranged basic combo right?

Oh look at the low damage, single target hits I'm dishing out!

Oh what's that? My Odachi friend just R-clicked and hit 4000 with 30 or so mana? Herp derp, I can AoE too! And there's half my mana.

Did you realize that successful attacks give you mana?