Elden Ring offers a multitude of weapons and players will need all the help they can get to play the game to their advantage. Builds centered around Sorceries continue to be powerful in Elden Ring, and an essential tool for any budding wizard in the Lands Between is a Staff. There are 18 of them, each with unique aspects that make all of them worth collecting.
However, some staffs are obviously better picks than others. While the default Staff for the Astrologer Class is viable for the entire game, you’ll find the extremely high damage of the best ones to be a massive quality of life improvement as they’ll make light work of the toughest bosses. So, here are the best Staffs in Elden Ring.
Lusat’s Glintstone Staff
- Requirements: 10 Strength, 52 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence B
- Sorcery Scaling: 413 at 80 Int
- Passive Effect: Boosts all types of Sorceries
- Location: Inside a chest after beating the Nox Swordstress & Nox Priest in Sellia, Town of Sorcery
Lusat’s Glintstone Staff stands as one of the most potent weapons in Elden Ring. It has a powerful spellbuff to all Sorceries that scales with Intelligence, making it the go-to Staff for players who have heavily invested in the stat. When utilized to its strength, it outshines every other Staff, delivering devastating damage with each spell cast.
However, acquiring it is a chore as players must beat the duo Nox boss in Cellia, Town of Sorcery. Needless to say, the boss room is also locked as you need to solve the nearby brazier puzzle on the rooftops. The 50% extra FP consumed as a trade-off, also makes it better suited to cheese bosses rather than a general-use staff.
Carian Regal Scepter
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 60 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity E, Intelligence B
- Sorcery Scaling: 373 at 80 Int
- Passive Effect: Boosts Full Moon Sorceries
- Weapon Skill: Spinning Weapon (Unique)
- Location: Give Renalla’s Remembrance to Enia in Roundtable Hold
The next most potent Staff for pure Intelligence builds is the Carian Regal Scepter. Notably, the Carian Regal Scepter’s unique gimmicks merits it a place so high. On top of having no snags to enhancing Full Moon Sorceries, it also has a special version of Spinning Weapon that deals decent Magic damage. Thanks to this, it serves as a catalyst and a melee weapon.
If you’re worried about your FP bar quickly disappearing, this Staff is for you. To get your hand on this Staff, you must defeat Rennala in Raya Lucaria Academy and give her Remembrance to Enia in the Roundtable Hold.
Azur’s Glintstone Staff
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 52 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence B
- Sorcery Scaling: 362 at 80 Int
- Passive Effect: Reduces casting time of types of Sorceries
- Location: Past the High Page on the second floor of the Church of Cuckoo in Raya Lucaria Academy
Players will love the Azur’s Glintstone Staff in PVP and PVE situations as It reduces the cast time of all types of Spells by 8-10% but at an increased FP cost. In essence, it provides 40 virtual Dex, and since the casting speed caps at 70 Dex, you’re well off at just 30 Dex. This also requires 10 Str and 52 Int to properly equip it.
While it might not be the most powerful, the good news is that the passive effect still works in your offhand. So long as you have this equipped in one of your hands, you can quickly cast powerful spells. You can pick up the Staff from the Church of Cuckoo in the Raya Lucaria Academy after parkouring through the rooftops.
Meteorite Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 18 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence S
- Sorcery Scaling: 272 at 80 Int
- Passive Effect: Boosts Gravity Sorceries
- Location: Lies on a Corpse in the Street of Sages Ruin in Caelid
In case mobs prove far too powerful for you as an early-game caster, the Meteorite Staff in Caelid is the solution to your mystical woes. Taking the trapped chest in the Dragon-burnt Ruins will take you to Celia Crystal Tunnel in Caelid. After that, make your way out of the tunnel, and stick to the right side to reach the Street of Sages Ruins, where this incredible early game Staff lies.
Buffing Gravity Sorceries aside, this has an S-Scaling in Intelligence from the get-go. Unfortunately, you can’t improve it with upgrades, and it will start to fall off during mid-game. However, you can always use it alongside Lusat’s Glintstone Staff to further augment the damage of Gravity Spells.
Carian Glintstone Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 8 Dexterity, 24 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 329 at 80 Int
- Passive Effects: Boosts Carian Sword Sorceries
- Location: Lies on a corpse in Carian Study Hall right before the second lift in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Players who enjoy versatility in their setup should pick up the Carian Glintstone Staff. The Staff will help you switch between ranged spellcasting and close-quarter combat using ethereal blades. This buffs Carian Sword Sorceries by 15%, which are already some of the best Sorceries in the game.
Fortunately, the Carian Glintstone Staff doesn’t ask much from players, save for a few points in Intelligence. Add to it the fact that it’s available relatively in Carian Study Hall; this might just be the perfect Staff for you in Elden Ring.
Academy Glintstone Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 28 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence B
- Sorcery Scaling: 345 at 80 Int
- Location: Looted from Thops in the Church of Irith or Raya Lucaria Academy
Once you’re done with the early game content of Elden Ring, you’ll want to swap in for a better staff, and the earliest one you’ll get is the Academy Glintstone Staff. Despite lacking passive effects, it makes up with its excellent Sorcery Scaling and low stat requirements.
There are two ways to acquire it. The earliest method is to ruthlessly kill its wielder – Thops – in the Church of Irith. However, you’re best off sparing poor Thops, who only wishes to re-enter Raya Lucaria Academy. You’ll find him dead the next time near the Schoolhouse Classroom Site of Grace.
Demi-Human Queen’s Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 10 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 291 at 80 Int
- Location: Demi-Human Forest Ruins, Weeping Peninsula
Thanks to its early availability, the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff is among the best early-game Staff. Melee players looking to dabble in a bit of magic should get it. You must slay the eponymous foe in the Demi-Humans Ruins Forrest to get it.
If you come prepared with a Spirit Ash, you’ll beat her without breaking a sweat, and she’ll drop the Staff you’ve set out to obtain. It’s the perfect magic stick for your initial dive into the world of sorceries as a melee player. What’s more, if you chicken out at the thought of going into Caelid for the Meteorite Staff, look no further than this.
Rotten Crystal Staff
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 48 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence B
- Sorcery Scaling: 367 at 80 Int
- Passive Effects: Boosts Crystalian Sorceries
- Location: Dropped by Lesser Crystillian mages in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree
While the Rotten Crystal Staff and Rotten Staff are two different weapons they have one thing in common? That’s the Rot build-up on whacking, but the latter takes it literally. This also sets the Staff further apart from its non-rotten counterpart. What’s common, though, is the buff to Crystalian Sorceries; so, if you want a Walter Whi… sorry, a Crystalian build, this is worth it!
It has the third-best Sorcery Scaling for pure Intelligence build. Plus, the Scarlet Rot can sometimes come in clutch. It’s also worth noting that it requires some hefty points in Intelligence to properly wield it. But given that Lesser Crystalian Mages drops it near the end-game zone, it won’t be much of a problem.
Staff of the Guilty
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 12 Faith
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Faith C
- Sorcery Scaling: 305 at 80 Fth
- Passive Effects: Boosts Bloodthorne Sorceries
- Location: Dropped from Thorn Sorcerers in Ft Laiedd or Guardians’ Garrison
The Staff of the Guilty is popular among players running a hybrid Intelligence/Faith build in Elden Ring. This is especially true for players wanting to employ a sanguine build with all things related to blood loss, as it specializes in Bloodthorn Sorceries.
It also causes blood loss on hit, and since the weapon is infusible with Spinning Weapon, that’s all the more reason to acquire it. That said, if you like to shred your enemies with Hemorrhage as a caster, you can get it at Mt. Gelmir in Fort Laiedd by farming Thorn Sorcerers. Plus, the weapon has a shallow stat requirement, making it accessible to everyone.
Albinauric Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 10 Intelligence, 12 Arcane
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence D, Arcane C
- Sorcery Scaling: 372 at 80 Int/80 Arc
- Passive Effects: Scales with Arcane
- Location: Near Guest Hall site of grace, Volcano Manor
For Arcane setups, the Albinauric Staff is incredible in our books. This goes hand in hand with the Staff of the Guilty, as the Arcane Scaling fills up the Hemorrhage meter more efficiently. The idea is to use it with the Staff of the Guilty, so you can activate the bleed passive more quickly while increasing the damage of Bloodthorn Sorcery.
What Arcane sorcerers will love about this is the low requirements of only 6 Str, 12 Int, and 12 Arc. Plus, the S-Scaling in Arcane it gains at +25 is just the icing on the cake. Players clearing the Volcano Manor will come across it near the Guest Hall site of grace.
Prince of Death’s Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 18 Intelligence, 18 Faith
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence B, Faith D
- Sorcery Scaling: 430 at 80 Int/80 Fth
- Passive Effects: Boosts Death Sorceries
- Location: Near the Nameless Eternal City site of grace on a corpse in Deeproot Depths
The Prince of Death’s Staff is a powerful weapon in Elden Ring; even so, it outperforms our top contenders in sheer raw power! The catch to this Staff, however, is the fact that it scales with both Intelligence and Faith. As such, unless you have pumped equal points in both stats you won’t be getting much out of it, making it more of an NG+ weapon.
As the name says, it also buffs Death Sorceries, but these are lacklustre spells that bring nothing of value against mobs. You’ll have to nab it from the Prince of Death – who takes his title too literally. This corpse lies atop a tower in Deep Roots Depth, which you can scale using the nearby root ramps.
Carian Glintblade Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 12 Dexteriry, 22 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity E, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 337 at 80 Int
- Passive Effects: Boosts Glintblade Sorceries
- Location: Highway Lookout Tower, western Liurnia
Despite being named the Carian Glintbalde Staff, this does not buff Sword Sorceries. Instead, the Carian Glintblade Staff boosts the power of Glintblade Sorceries, like the Carian Phalanx by 15%. This sorcery tool is a viable option to cover a significant chunk of the early to mid-game content until you’re left with better spells and tools to carry you further.
The Carian Glintblade Staff is located in western Liurnia on top of the Highway Lookout Tower. The nearest site of grace is the Liurnia Highway North, and you only have to go north from here to reach it. Overall, it’s a decent early to mid-game Staff that only requires 22 Int and some points in Dexterity and Strength to properly wield it.
Staff of Loss
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 12 Dexterity, 24 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Dexterity E, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 339 at 80 Int
- Passive Effects: Boosts Night Sorceries
- Location: Sellia, Town of Sorcery
For the most part, humanoid enemies and invaders can dodge roll incoming spells, and this takes the fun out of using magic in Elden Ring. Night Sorceries are here to help, and the Staff of Loss was made just for that purpose. However, the Staff’s low Sorcery Scaling in Elden Ring leaves a lot to be desired, given the Night spells are some of the finest.
If you’ve gone looking for Lusat’s Glintstone Staff, you’ll also come across this Staff while solving the brazier puzzle. Ultimately, it is best to have this on you when dealing with enemies with a seemingly endless supply of dodge rolls to cast the intended sorceries.
Astrologer Staff
- Requirements: 7 Strength, 16 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 340 at 80 Int
- Location: Starter weapon for Astrologer Class and can also be bought from Nomadic Merchant in Liurnia of the Lakes for 800 Runes
The Astrologer class has it easy in Elden Ring. Not only does this get an ideal spread in its stats, but they get a relatively decent weapon in the Astrologer Staff right off the bat! While there are better early options, as mentioned above, this bad boy shines the best when fully upgraded. The unique design, meanwhile, might have players mistaking it for a striking baton.
Honestly, the Astrologer’s Staff could serve you for an entire playthrough for a starting class weapon. In any case, the Staff is also up for grabs from the Nomadic Merchant as soon as you set foot in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Digger’s Staff
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 12 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 305 at 80 Int
- Passive Effects: Boosts Stonedigger Sorceries
- Location: Dropped by Glinstone Miners in Sellia Crystal Tunnel, Caelid
Another fantastic weapon for players that love dual-wielding Staffs, the Digger’s Staff’s biggest strength is its boost to Stonedigger Sorceries. Thanks to the low Sorcery Scaling, some players might not dig it (pun intended), but hear us out. These spells are pretty helpful in PVP to roll catch and soften up players.
Luckily, an abundance of Glinstone Miner in Sellia Crystal Tunnel can drop the Digger’s Staff for you. Ensure using the portal in Dragon-Burnt Ruins to get there hell for leather. Again, that’s another great find for players who have gotten tired of swinging sharp sticks and want to experience something magical in Elden Ring. As it should be played, Elden Ring is high on fantasy!
Gelmir Glintstone Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 14 Intelligence, 14 Faith
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence D, Faith D
- Sorcery Scaling: 302 at 80 Int/80 Fai
- Passive Effects: Boosts Magma Sorceries
- Location: Dropped by Man-Serpent Sorcerers near the throne room in Volcano Manor
The Gelmir Glintstone Staff is an excellent catalyst in Elden Ring that scales well with Intelligence and Faith. This is the tool of choice for players walking down a lava-oriented spellcasting playstyle because it enhances Magma Sorceries. Plus, it’s the sleekest Staff, cosmetically speaking, when the most powerful Staffs are only but a blunt hunk of wood and stone.
If you want your hands on the Gelmir Glintstone Staff, ensure popping a Silver-Pickled Fowl Foot. The Man-Serpent Sorcerers carrying the Staff are annoyingly stubborn, but this should make the attempt less vexing.
Crystal Staff
- Requirements: 8 Strength, 48 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength D, Intelligence B
- Sorcery Scaling: 367 at 80 Int
- Passive Effects: Boosts Crystalian Sorceries
- Location: Academy Crystal Cave, Liurnia of the Lakes
The Crystal Staff and its rotten sibling are two peas in the same pod, tied for the third-best Sorcery Scaling for a pure scepter. There’s also no difference in the stat requirements; they also both weigh the same.
The Rotten Crystal Staff’s added rot effect, however, makes it far and away the better pick for a Crystalian build. The Crystal Staff does have something going for it, like it’s easily the best-looking Staff and doesn’t require any annoying amount of farm like the other one. It rests inside a hideaway chest behind a fake wall right beside the boss room in the Academy Crystal Cave.
Glintstone Staff
- Requirements: 6 Strength, 10 Intelligence
- Base Scaling: Strength E, Intelligence C
- Sorcery Scaling: 329 at 80 Int
- Location: Starter weapon for Prisoner Class and dropped from Noble Sorcerers
The Glintstone Staff is your average run-of-the-mill standard catalyst found in most Fromsoftware games. That’s another nail in Elden Ring’s coffin of useless gear. However, besides the meta-defining staffs in this guide, it’s a decent magic stick that can cater every player thanks to the low stat requirements and no extra FP drawbacks.
Tough you can pump its power at the smiths using Smithing Stones, it really wears off once the mid-game begins. It’s also simple enough to have made it the starting weapon for the Prisoner Class, but no one in their right mind would pass up the Astrologer’s Staff for this. Unless they find the initial stats of the Prisoner class more enticing?
Final Thoughts
And that’s a wrap for our list of the best Staffs in Elden Ring! With the weapons mentioned above, you’ll have an easy time cruising through Elden Ring’s brutal world. So, do you prefer playing passively as a sorcerer, or you’re rather fond of aggressively hacking and slashing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!