I used a staff for my necro/elem all the way up to the crystal desert, until I found a good one handed wand. I think the best thing is to use a good staff until you can get a good wand/offhand item set.
i like staffs. My Warrior found a great Mesmer/Necro staff so I placed it on my mesmer. If you can get a really nice second hand weapon (gives energy and mana) then just go one handed other than that, staffs give better mods and easier to find.
