InElden Ring, players who pursue intelligence-based builds often rely heavily on staffs to cast powerful sorceries. While the primary staff is used for offensive casting, theoffhand staffplays a strategic role that can significantly boost performance. Whether you’re looking to maximize damage, apply buffs, or benefit from passive effects, choosing the right offhand staff is a crucial decision for any sorcerer. Understanding how offhand staffs function, which ones synergize best, and how they impact both PvE and PvP encounters can help players elevate their magical prowess throughout the Lands Between.
What Is an Offhand Staff in Elden Ring?
An offhand staff refers to a catalyst equipped in the player’s left hand while the right hand typically holds the primary casting staff. Unlike dual-wielding melee weapons, offhand staffs are not used directly to cast spells. Instead, they are primarily used for passive benefits such as increasing spell damage, improving casting speed, or unlocking access to specific types of sorcery. Some players also swap between two different casting staffs to access multiple sorcery types without changing gear mid-combat.
Using an offhand staff is particularly beneficial for hybrid builds or advanced sorcerers who want to stack bonuses, switch casting tools quickly, or support their main staff with passive enhancements. The key is knowing which staff to equip and why.
How Offhand Staffs Affect Sorcery
While you cannot cast sorceries directly from an offhand staff (unless it’s equipped in the right hand or used with both hands), its passive effects can still apply. Some staffs increase the power of certain sorcery schools or scale with specific stats even when idle in the offhand. These effects stack with your main staff and can offer powerful bonuses with zero additional input during battle.
Top Offhand Staff Options
Several staffs inElden Ringprovide unique passive effects that make them ideal offhand choices. Below are the most popular and effective ones to consider.
Lusat’s Glintstone Staff
- PassiveGreatly boosts sorcery damage at the cost of increased FP consumption.
- Use CaseBest used in the offhand to passively increase damage output when paired with a different staff for active casting. Ideal for burst-damage builds or PvP.
Carian Regal Scepter
- PassiveBoosts full moon sorceries and scales extremely well with Intelligence.
- Use CaseCan be kept in the offhand for full moon-focused builds while using another staff to cast general sorceries. Excellent for builds centered around Ranni’s Dark Moon or Rennala’s Full Moon.
Prince of Death’s Staff
- PassiveBoosts death sorceries and scales with both Intelligence and Faith.
- Use CaseFor hybrid Intelligence/Faith builds, this staff can support death sorceries passively while another staff casts mainline spells. It provides great synergy in dual-stat builds.
Carian Glintblade Staff
- PassiveBoosts Glintblade sorceries.
- Use CaseAs an offhand tool, it enhances the power of Glintblade sorceries like Glintblade Phalanx. Great for PvP where delayed spell attacks are used for pressure or baiting rolls.
Staff of Loss
- PassiveIncreases damage of invisibility-based sorceries such as Night Shard and Night Comet.
- Use CaseEspecially valuable in PvP, where stealth and surprise attacks are crucial. When paired with another Staff of Loss or a regular staff, the damage stacking becomes substantial.
Using Dual Staff Builds
Many advanced sorcerers equip two different staffs one in each hand to maximize their options in combat. This dual-staff approach allows players to swap between different sorcery types or effects depending on the situation.
Sample Dual Staff Combos
- Right HandMeteorite Staff (early game scaling) |Left HandLusat’s Staff for passive damage boost
- Right HandCarian Glintstone Staff |Left HandStaff of Loss for enhanced stealth sorceries
- Right HandPrince of Death’s Staff |Left HandGolden Order Seal for hybrid casting of incantations and sorceries
It’s important to balance FP consumption, casting speed, and stamina usage when using two staffs. While offhand staffs offer passive benefits, carrying multiple high-weight weapons can impact your equipment load, so always monitor your load threshold to avoid the heavy load penalty.
Offhand Staffs in PvP vs PvE
Choosing the right offhand staff can vary depending on whether you’re exploring dungeons or fighting real players.
In PvE
- Maximizing damage is a priority in PvE, especially during boss fights or high-HP enemy encounters.
- Using Lusat’s Staff in the offhand is often beneficial for increasing output, as FP consumption can be managed with flasks.
- Death or full moon builds benefit from specialized staffs when facing resistant or themed enemies.
In PvP
- Stealth, speed, and baiting are more important in PvP combat.
- Staffs that boost specific types of sorceries, such as Staff of Loss or Carian Glintblade Staff, offer a tactical advantage.
- Dual-staff setups that allow for quick swaps between delayed and burst attacks keep opponents guessing.
It’s also common in PvP to equip a staff with passive boosts and hold a catalyst like a dagger or parry tool in the right hand, depending on playstyle. Flexibility and fast reaction times are crucial.
Stat Requirements and Scaling Considerations
While equipping an offhand staff is beneficial, players must meet the minimum stat requirements to benefit from its effects. For example, Lusat’s Staff requires a high Intelligence stat, while Prince of Death’s Staff scales with both Intelligence and Faith. Always check the scaling letters and attributes before assigning it to your build.
It’s also worth noting that offhand staffs do not contribute their spell scaling unless you are actively casting with them. Passive effects like sorcery boosting still apply, but the overall Sorcery Scaling stat shown on the weapon doesn’t enhance spells cast with another staff.
Tips for Maximizing Offhand Staff Usage
- Always match your sorcery type to the staff’s passive bonus for optimal benefit.
- Use a light staff in the offhand if you’re near your equip load limit.
- Pair casting speed talismans with fast-casting staffs for more effective DPS.
- In PvP, switch offhand staffs situationally to counter specific builds or styles.
- Upgrade both staffs even if one is used passively higher upgrades often improve passive bonuses too.
When Not to Use an Offhand Staff
If your build is low on equipment load capacity or focused on hybrid melee combat, it might be better to use a shield or dagger in the offhand. Offhand staffs are best for pure sorcerers or high Intelligence builds that benefit from spell boosts more than defensive tools. Always tailor your equipment to your intended playstyle and enemies you expect to face.
Choosing the rightoffhand staff in Elden Ringcan enhance your sorcery-based build in powerful and subtle ways. Whether you’re looking to boost Glintblade sorceries, stealth attacks, or overall damage, there’s a staff to fit every casting strategy. While the offhand staff won’t cast spells directly, its passive effects and synergy with other gear make it a valuable asset for any spellcaster. With careful planning and awareness of stat scaling, players can fully unlock the potential of their magical arsenal and command the battlefield with devastating sorcery.