Focus + Offhand or Staff?

My friend and I were wondering this: What would be better to use? A focus + offhand, caster weapon + offhand, or staff? Or, in what situations would you use one or the other? My gut tells me that there's no difference between the focus + offhand and the staff, but I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

In most general situations, a martial weapon + shield/offhand. If i wanted HSR/HCT, wand/offhand. The only situation i'd use a staff is if i wanted a combination of mods that i could only get on a staff.

Alright, thanks!

One last thing: What mods exactly go on a "caster shield"? I know a caster martial weapon is +5e and +20% enchanting, but I have no idea about the shield.

For caster shields I generally have a selection of +30/+45ench, and +10AL vs whatever.

i use a staff for everything in pve. takes up less room =)

the effects arent bad, either. i usually make it 20/20 (one of the 20's is already infused in all staves) and +15 energy, the last mod is optional (either +30 health or +20% enchants).

it doesnt make that much of a difference either way you go. this is just my preference because i like to keep inventory as open as possible.

the only time i have a 40/40 set on hand is for a curses necro, fire ele, or healing monk.

pvp is a whole different story and im no pro.

lrn 2 weapon swap imo

If I'm specialized in 1 attribute a '40/40' wand offhand set, a martial weapon and shield(if it's a pvp guy I have an inventory full of them for each +armor), and a "high set(+15-1 on the offhand and wand)" If I have a more diverse bar(like a hybrid heal/prot monk or mesmer, necro or rt with different atts or a few PvE skills) I'll use the staff for the flat 20% recharge bonus,maybe with swift a swift head and an enchant or +30 wrap.

From my point of view, in PvE, it makes little difference whether you go staff or wand/offhand - it's pretty much all doable with either and weapon swapping is rarely required. I virtually exclusively play ele, and just about the only time I need to swap is on the very rare occasions when I go *cough* U***n *cough* when I swap to a caster melee set.

PvP is a whole different kettle of fish however........

For general sitting in you want a defensive set with a 1 handed weapon (+5e, +30hp) and a shield (+10AL VS XX, +30hp). Then you have a variety of other weapons depending on your build.

If i have a build with enchantments then I usually run a staff 40/20/20.
For general casting of spells then its a 40/40 set.

Finally i have a wand/focus with +30e/-2regen to swap into.