Is a staff from background starting equipment counted as a quarterstaff or an improvised weapon?
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When selecting the background for my Sorcerer, I chose Outlander (PHB, p. 136-137). This background gives a "staff" for starting equipment (among other things).
Does the staff act like a quarterstaff or an improvised weapon if used to attack?
dnd-5e weapons equipment background
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
When selecting the background for my Sorcerer, I chose Outlander (PHB, p. 136-137). This background gives a "staff" for starting equipment (among other things).
Does the staff act like a quarterstaff or an improvised weapon if used to attack?
dnd-5e weapons equipment background
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
Related but not a duplicate: Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?; slightly less related: Can a magic rod be used as a quarterstaff?
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:15
add a comment |
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
When selecting the background for my Sorcerer, I chose Outlander (PHB, p. 136-137). This background gives a "staff" for starting equipment (among other things).
Does the staff act like a quarterstaff or an improvised weapon if used to attack?
dnd-5e weapons equipment background
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
When selecting the background for my Sorcerer, I chose Outlander (PHB, p. 136-137). This background gives a "staff" for starting equipment (among other things).
Does the staff act like a quarterstaff or an improvised weapon if used to attack?
dnd-5e weapons equipment background
dnd-5e weapons equipment background
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
edited Nov 27 at 21:18
V2Blast
18.6k250115
18.6k250115
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
asked Nov 27 at 20:57
Eternallord66
633419
633419
Related but not a duplicate: Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?; slightly less related: Can a magic rod be used as a quarterstaff?
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:15
add a comment |
Related but not a duplicate: Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?; slightly less related: Can a magic rod be used as a quarterstaff?
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:15
Related but not a duplicate: Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?; slightly less related: Can a magic rod be used as a quarterstaff?
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:15
Related but not a duplicate: Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?; slightly less related: Can a magic rod be used as a quarterstaff?
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:15
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
9
down vote
This would definitely be a question for your DM, but I believe most people agree that it can be used as a quarterstaff.
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
There are three things in the equipment list that are within the price range of background kit and could conceivably be described as "staff" - the Staff arcane focus, the Wooden Staff druidic focus, and the quarterstaff itself. For the focuses, it appears that there's a decent amount of support for the idea that one of them can be used as a quarterstaff.
Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?
Of course, if it's the quarterstaff, you're good to go.
As for which it is, it's unclear. The most obvious from a pure RAW standpoint is the one simply called "staff" (the arcane focus). The second most obvious is the druidic focus. Those raise odd questions, though, in the case of an Outlander who is neither a druid nor an arcane caster. Perhaps the simplest answer would be for the player to pick one of the three. The most expensive of the lot is 5gp - little enough that it shouldn't be a big issue one way or the other.
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
4
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
1
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
5
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
9
down vote
This would definitely be a question for your DM, but I believe most people agree that it can be used as a quarterstaff.
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
This would definitely be a question for your DM, but I believe most people agree that it can be used as a quarterstaff.
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
add a comment |
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
This would definitely be a question for your DM, but I believe most people agree that it can be used as a quarterstaff.
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
This would definitely be a question for your DM, but I believe most people agree that it can be used as a quarterstaff.
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
answered Nov 27 at 21:24
Andrew Hunter
992
992
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
There are three things in the equipment list that are within the price range of background kit and could conceivably be described as "staff" - the Staff arcane focus, the Wooden Staff druidic focus, and the quarterstaff itself. For the focuses, it appears that there's a decent amount of support for the idea that one of them can be used as a quarterstaff.
Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?
Of course, if it's the quarterstaff, you're good to go.
As for which it is, it's unclear. The most obvious from a pure RAW standpoint is the one simply called "staff" (the arcane focus). The second most obvious is the druidic focus. Those raise odd questions, though, in the case of an Outlander who is neither a druid nor an arcane caster. Perhaps the simplest answer would be for the player to pick one of the three. The most expensive of the lot is 5gp - little enough that it shouldn't be a big issue one way or the other.
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
4
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
1
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
5
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
3
down vote
There are three things in the equipment list that are within the price range of background kit and could conceivably be described as "staff" - the Staff arcane focus, the Wooden Staff druidic focus, and the quarterstaff itself. For the focuses, it appears that there's a decent amount of support for the idea that one of them can be used as a quarterstaff.
Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?
Of course, if it's the quarterstaff, you're good to go.
As for which it is, it's unclear. The most obvious from a pure RAW standpoint is the one simply called "staff" (the arcane focus). The second most obvious is the druidic focus. Those raise odd questions, though, in the case of an Outlander who is neither a druid nor an arcane caster. Perhaps the simplest answer would be for the player to pick one of the three. The most expensive of the lot is 5gp - little enough that it shouldn't be a big issue one way or the other.
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
4
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
1
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
5
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
There are three things in the equipment list that are within the price range of background kit and could conceivably be described as "staff" - the Staff arcane focus, the Wooden Staff druidic focus, and the quarterstaff itself. For the focuses, it appears that there's a decent amount of support for the idea that one of them can be used as a quarterstaff.
Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?
Of course, if it's the quarterstaff, you're good to go.
As for which it is, it's unclear. The most obvious from a pure RAW standpoint is the one simply called "staff" (the arcane focus). The second most obvious is the druidic focus. Those raise odd questions, though, in the case of an Outlander who is neither a druid nor an arcane caster. Perhaps the simplest answer would be for the player to pick one of the three. The most expensive of the lot is 5gp - little enough that it shouldn't be a big issue one way or the other.
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
There are three things in the equipment list that are within the price range of background kit and could conceivably be described as "staff" - the Staff arcane focus, the Wooden Staff druidic focus, and the quarterstaff itself. For the focuses, it appears that there's a decent amount of support for the idea that one of them can be used as a quarterstaff.
Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?
Of course, if it's the quarterstaff, you're good to go.
As for which it is, it's unclear. The most obvious from a pure RAW standpoint is the one simply called "staff" (the arcane focus). The second most obvious is the druidic focus. Those raise odd questions, though, in the case of an Outlander who is neither a druid nor an arcane caster. Perhaps the simplest answer would be for the player to pick one of the three. The most expensive of the lot is 5gp - little enough that it shouldn't be a big issue one way or the other.
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
edited Nov 28 at 14:44
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
answered Nov 27 at 21:15
Ben Barden
8,29512251
8,29512251
4
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
1
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
5
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
|
show 1 more comment
4
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
1
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
5
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
4
4
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
While the names are similar, I don't think there's any connection between an spellcasting focus staff and and the staff from the Outlander background.
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:16
1
1
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
@V2Blast RAW, I believe that it's the only thing described simply as "staff" in the PHB gear list, and 5gp isn't too much for a piece of background gear. If it's not the spellcasting focus (either the arcane "staff" or the druidic "wooden staff"), then what is it?
– Ben Barden
Nov 27 at 21:55
5
5
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Why would a (e.g.) Fighter with the Outlander background start with a Druidic or Arcane spellcasting focus item?
– SevenSidedDie♦
Nov 28 at 0:25
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
Have edited to account for previously stated concerns.
– Ben Barden
Nov 28 at 14:45
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
I think the most logical answer (albeit one not described in the game) is that the "staff" is actually either meant to just be a walking stick of some sort, or it's a quarterstaff and they got the name wrong.
– V2Blast
Nov 29 at 3:18
|
show 1 more comment
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Related but not a duplicate: Can the arcane/druidic focus staff double as quarterstaff?; slightly less related: Can a magic rod be used as a quarterstaff?
– V2Blast
Nov 27 at 21:15