casters with sword and shield

Just a quick question here. I have been seeing alot of caster types using a shield and sword. I was wondering what the benefit for this was over using a staff/scepter and focus.

defence and usually martial weapons/shields look cooler.

Occassionally enchanting but meh

u can use a enchants last 20% longer on the sword, shield just cuz it looks cool.

I see, so for function, a staff/ scepter and focus combo is better?

Not necessarily. If you plan to sit around casting a lot, you'll want to have a wand/focus set with 40/40 mods. Some reasons for casters using a martial weapon + shield are:

*More defense (especially useful on spirit spammers because they don't cast spells).
*A one handed weapon that can hold a 20% enchanting mod.
*An unconditional +5e.
*Triggering physical damage buffs like Mark of Pain, Barbs, and Order of Pain (you'll need a spear so you can do it from range).

There are probably others, but I can't think of them right now.

I see what your saying Marty, and that helps for some of characters. So, for a nuker elementalist, a wand/focus would be best for him?

Yes, because you'll be casting most of the time and will want the reduced casting time and recharge that a 40/40 set offers.

ok thanks man. ill keep what you said for the martial/shield combo in mind as well as the wand and focus.

martial weapon/shield set is crucial for casters at PvP. Its ideal to have a shield with +10 armor against every damage: slashing, piercing, blunt, fire, lightning, ice, earth

the best option is r7/8 tactics, since casters (usually monks) don't run anything higher than this. more frequently r9 due to rarity/price of r7/8 shields. Eles usually grab r9 command shields (fall back, make haste) since they hardly ever will run a warrior stance. mesmer/necros can benefit from some tactics stances, rits almost never run them so it doesn't matter the attribute of the shield

The main reason to wear a shield is to increase your armor when you are receiving damage.
But many people just wear it to look "pro". It is completely stupid when a monk is all the time wearing his "black dyed voltaic spear+tormented shield set" even when not receiving damage. For a casting caster it is worst to wear a shield, a shield porpouse is just to increase armor. So while caster is not under attack it is useless.

It's also not uncommon for people to have a "low energy" caster weapon... with a -5e "Brawn Over Brains" inscription. This is useful for hiding energy from e-denial casters.