OSRS Magic Staff List Your Ultimate Guide to Magical Power
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), magic is a versatile combat skill that allows players to cast devastating spells, teleport across Gielinor, and support allies with utility spells. Central to any mage’s arsenal is the magic staff, a weapon that enhances spellcasting accuracy, provides rune-saving benefits, and sometimes unlocks unique abilities. With so many staves available, choosing the right one can be daunting. This comprehensive guide lists and explores the best magic staves in OSRS, categorized by their utility, requirements, and combat effectiveness, helping you optimize your mage build for PvM, PvP, or skilling.
Staves are the primary magic weapons in OSRS, offering the ability to autocast spells from various spellbooks, such as the Standard, Ancient, or Arceuus spellbooks. Unlike wands, which prioritize utility, staves often provide higher magic attack bonuses and can serve as infinite rune sources for specific elements. They range from basic elemental staves to powerful endgame options like the Sanguinesti Staff. Understanding their roles—whether for training, bossing, or PvP—is key to selecting the right staff for your needs.
Why Choose a Magic Staff?
Magic staves offer several advantages:
- Autocasting: Most staves allow you to autocast combat spells, simplifying combat and reducing manual inputs.
- Rune Efficiency: Elemental and combination staves provide unlimited runes, saving inventory space and gold.
- Combat Bonuses: Staves boost magic attack and sometimes melee stats, making them versatile for hybrid builds.
- Special Abilities: Some staves, like powered staves, have built-in spells or unique effects, such as healing or venom.
Elemental and Basic Staves for Beginners
For new players or those training magic on a budget, elemental and basic staves are accessible and cost-effective. These staves provide unlimited elemental runes and modest magic bonuses, making them ideal for early-game training like splashing or low-level PvM.
Basic Staff
The Basic Staff is the simplest magic weapon, requiring no stats to wield. It offers a +10 magic attack bonus but lacks elemental rune benefits, making it less popular than elemental staves. Purchase it from Zaff’s Superior Staffs! in Varrock for 200 coins.
Elemental Staves
Elemental staves provide unlimited runes for one of the four elemental types: air, water, earth, or fire. Each has a +10 magic attack bonus and is ideal for early-game spellcasting.
| Staff | Rune Provided | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Staff of Air | Unlimited Air Runes | Zaff’s Staff Shop (200 coins) |
| Staff of Water | Unlimited Water Runes | Zaff’s Staff Shop (200 coins) |
| Staff of Earth | Unlimited Earth Runes | Zaff’s Staff Shop (200 coins) |
| Staff of Fire | Unlimited Fire Runes | Zaff’s Staff Shop (200 coins) |
Magic Staff
An upgrade over the basic staff, the Magic Staff provides a +10 magic attack bonus and slightly better melee stats. While it doesn’t offer rune benefits, it’s a cheap option for autocasting. It’s available from Zaff’s shop or as a drop from monsters like Moss Giants.
Mid-Tier Staves for Progression
As you level up your Magic skill and tackle tougher content, mid-tier staves like battlestaves, mystic staves, and specialized staves become viable. These offer improved bonuses and unique spellcasting abilities, bridging the gap to endgame gear.
Battlestaves and Mystic Staves
Battlestaves are upgraded elemental staves with slightly better magic and melee bonuses (+10 magic attack). Mystic Staves are enchanted battlestaves, offering the same magic attack bonus but improved melee stats. Both provide unlimited elemental runes and are craftable or purchasable on the Grand Exchange.
- Mystic Fire Staff: Unlimited fire runes, +10 magic attack, ideal for fire-based spells like Fire Surge.
- Mystic Smoke Staff: Unlimited air and fire runes, great for combination spells.
- Mystic Lava Staff: Unlimited earth and fire runes, useful for PvM.
Slayer Staff
The Slayer Staff requires 50 Magic and 55 Slayer to wield. It’s essential for casting Magic Dart, a cost-effective spell for Slayer tasks. Its upgraded version, the Enchanted Slayer Staff, boosts Magic Dart’s damage. Obtain it from Slayer Masters or the Grand Exchange.
Iban’s Staff
Requiring 50 Magic and completion of the Underground Pass quest, Iban’s Staff casts Iban Blast, a powerful spell with a base max hit of 25. It’s excellent for low-level PvP and PvM. The staff can be upgraded to autocast Iban Blast, increasing its efficiency. Reclaim a broken version from Iban’s disciples if lost.
High-Tier Staves for Advanced Mages
High-tier staves are designed for players with high Magic levels and access to challenging content like raids or bossing. These staves offer superior bonuses, unique effects, and are often best-in-slot for specific scenarios.
Staff of the Dead
The Staff of the Dead requires 75 Magic and Attack to wield. With a +15 magic attack bonus and +17 melee strength, it’s a hybrid weapon comparable to a Dragon Longsword. It provides unlimited fire runes and has a special attack that reduces melee damage taken by 50% for one minute. Its upgraded version, the Toxic Staff of the Dead, adds a 25% chance to envenom enemies (100% with a Serpentine Helm). Obtain it from K’ril Tsutsaroth in the God Wars Dungeon.
Trident of the Swamp
The Trident of the Swamp is a powered staff requiring 78 Magic. It has a +25 magic attack bonus and a built-in spell that hits up to 31 (38 with max bonuses) at 99 Magic. It’s charged with runes and coins, offering a 25% chance to envenom enemies. Upgraded from the Trident of the Seas with a Magic Fang from Zulrah, it’s a staple for PvM, especially at bosses like Kraken and Zulrah.
Kodai Wand
The Kodai Wand is the ultimate magic weapon, requiring 75 Magic. With a +28 magic attack bonus, +20 magic defense, and +15% magic strength, it’s best-in-slot for most scenarios. It provides unlimited water runes, autocasts Standard, Ancient, and Arceuus spells, and has a 15% chance to negate rune costs. Obtain it by attaching a Kodai Insignia (from Chambers of Xeric) to a Master Wand.
Specialized and Situational Staves
Some staves serve niche purposes, such as casting specific spells, accessing unique content, or providing utility. These are essential for certain activities but less versatile overall.
Ancient Staff
The Ancient Staff requires 50 Magic, 50 Attack, and completion of Desert Treasure I. It autocasts Ancient Magicks and Standard spells, with a +15 magic attack bonus. Its fast 4-tick melee speed makes it viable for hybrid PvP. Purchase it from Eblis for 80,000 coins post-quest.
God Staves
God Staves (Saradomin, Guthix, Zamorak) require 60 Magic and completion of the Mage Arena I miniquest. They autocast god spells (e.g., Saradomin Strike) and provide +6 magic attack. They’re bladed staves with a 4-tick melee speed, making them decent for hybrid combat.
Sanguinesti Staff
The Sanguinesti Staff requires 82 Magic and is a powered staff with a +25 magic attack bonus. Its built-in spell heals the wielder for half the damage dealt (1/6 chance per hit). Charged with blood runes (up to 20,000), it’s ideal for sustained PvM, like Theatre of Blood. Obtain it as a rare drop from Theatre of Blood.
Harmonized Nightmare Staff
Requiring 75 Magic and 50 Hitpoints, the Harmonized Nightmare Staff is a 4-tick weapon with a +16 magic attack bonus and +15% magic strength. It excels with Standard spellbook spells like Fire Surge, making it best-in-slot for DPS in PvM (e.g., Zulrah, Nightmare). Combine a Nightmare Staff with a Harmonized Orb, dropped by The Nightmare.
Choosing the Right Staff for Your Playstyle
Selecting a magic staff depends on your Magic level, budget, and goals:
- Beginners: Stick to elemental staves or the Magic Staff for cheap training.
- Mid-Tier Players: Use Iban’s Staff, Slayer Staff, or mystic staves for Slayer and early bossing.
- Endgame Mages: Invest in the Kodai Wand, Sanguinesti Staff, or Trident of the Swamp for maximum DPS and utility.
- PvP Enthusiasts: Opt for the Ancient Staff or Harmonized Nightmare Staff for fast, high-damage spells.
Experiment with different staves to find what suits your playstyle. For the latest prices, check the Grand Exchange, and consider farming bosses like Zulrah or raiding for rare drops to upgrade your gear.
With this guide, you’re equipped to wield the most powerful magic staves in OSRS. Cast your spells, conquer Gielinor, and let your magical prowess shine!