Situations where it's reasonable to use Envoy Staff?

Figured I'd gather a few peoples' opinions on some situations where it may actually be useful.

I've given it some thought, and the only thing I can think of is an AP caller build - I refuse to shell out so much ecto for something that really is actually less efficient than the staff I currently use, and that sucks because I really like the skin.

What gives?

Feel free to share your thoughts and (Heleyne's) insights. HO HO HO I MADE A PUN
Happy Holidays!

EDIT: Seems we have some oblivious players; Envoy Staff has an inherent 10%HCT instead of 20%HSR - which is the dilemma. I thought everyone knew this by now.

Well.. it is only about the skin. Don't really understand what you want.

except, it's not only about the skin.

Envoy staff has an inherent 10%HCT on spells, while all normal staves have 20%HSR - if you know anything about GW mechanics and usage then you would understand the dilemma.

What I want is for someone to suggest some scenarios where it would be viably useful, thus validating the reason for purchasing it.

Not even for personal use, just for curiosity's sake.

ugh.. Its an epeen item.

i think you already answered your own question by the edit you placed on your OP.

If you want something functional.. then dont buy it.. if you just want to show off that you wasted a lot of money for a somewhat useless modded "pretty" staff then go ahead..


really not a hard choice here mate..

I use this type of staff in PvE almost exclusively. 10% on all spells is way more useful to me than 20% HSR of one attribute. I use a staff like this for my monk, ele, and mesmer. I would on Necro too, but that is the one class I don't play. It's great for Rits too because as a Rit you usually are running a few different attributes too.

well it could be helpful for the emo bonder build seeing as how your spamming 0 cd spells most of the time.

It's not that I don't think it's entirely functional, it could be well used in *certain* areas - I was just wanting to promote some thought and see if anyone else was able to come up with other ideas.

Basically, where could you use this staff where it would outclass other weapon options?

I'm not lobbying for it or anything, the inquiring mind would like to know is all.


@Jim Beam - Awesome! That's the exact sort of input I was looking for, thanks
@Jazilla - You're aware it's 10% Half Casting Time, right?

The only situations I can think of it coming in handy is where your bar is mainly compromised of spells from a different profession.
i.e.; FC Mesmer Nukers -but why use this instead of the attributes 40/40

This damn thing is such a headache, I wish Anet would've just released two versions or something along each attrib line.

-Perhaps while being camped by a mesmer/ranger in PvP.
-[If you're not using 40/40] and maybe being a prot monk, since prots generally last longer than your general recharges (both if using 20% enchant staff, and usually w/out as well). (Enchant strips on prots are occasional, and only if coordinated- in this meta, the eles should be prioritized to kill their energy). I'm sure there's more to this...

Yeah, but since the HCT is rather puny and the fact it's primary attribute locked limits it's usefulness.

If you want half casting time 10% get any modifiable staff and I mean any and slap a swift staff head. Problem solved you spent a few k at the most instead of 20e or so for the green.

It's not that I want the HCT, remotely.

Mainly, I'm curious why Anet would put such a questionable mod on a high-end weapon - and so, I wonder where it could be appropriately used.

Surely they had to have a few ideas in mind.

I just think it's a little daft to essentially take such a nice staff out of the game for serious endgame players when endgame players are really the only ones who'd be able to afford /and/or/ are willing to buy it.

Because all primary attrib only weps use that mod, I am surprised you don't already know this.

Uh why don't you just shell out the 250 rps for the reward skin?

but isn't that only for PvP chars?

You can do it with the preorder staves too, if that helps.

It's reasonable to use the Envoy Staff to defeat Shiro Tagachi in the Nightfall mission Gate of Madness.

Think about it.

I'm lucky I don't like the skin that much and there are certainly staves with better performance.

Short Answer: There aren't any

Long Answer: When casting spells having a 40/40 wand/foci set is just flat out better than having a staff. Using a staff for casting is never the optimum thing to do. The one exception is having a 20/40 (or is it 40/20?) staff with 20% enchantments. The mods have 1 20% HSR and 2 20% HCT, there would be an actual argument for having an envoy with 2 20% HCT and 1 10% HCT, except that the 20%'s apply to the attribute on the weapon and there aren't any primary attributes enchantments that make this at all worthwhile.

Tangent Answer: If its PvE it really doesn't matter, just use what looks good, that's what everyone else does.

Are you trolling? There are tons of staves you can use.. Envoy is just a showoff

Best universal staff u'll ever get (unless they add new ones).
Buy 1 imo(perfect for holy veil etc or other skills that don't have hct otherwise)

pve and pvp: vital boon/pious restoration/remove hex/shadow refuge/shatterstorm/gaze of contempt/shroud/s form +more

Didn't notice that.

It sounds more like a bug than an intended feature. Someone should report it.