Did ANet make staffs useless?

It seems to me as though staffs are completely useless now that +5 energy swords and axes are widely available (technically they were useless before, but you needed a HoD sword, which isn't common). If you look at it, a 20/20 Insightful Staff of Enchanting, Defense, or Fortitude would be the same as a +5 energy sword or axe with the same mod and a 20/20 focus -- but with two less energy. Can anyone clear this up?

insightfull isn't the only staffhead around ... so no, staffs aren't useless, infact, many casters will still use staffs with +60HP/+10armor/... (any other combo that doesn't include an insightfull head)

Staves and Wands are not totally useless. You can't attack if your monk has a sword (not that wanding things does much damage). So, you have to be careful about using your spacebar, because there's a new risk of accidently moving right next to your enemy group. Which would be bad.

So, it's a toss up between getting 2 more energy or being a little bit safer. An experienced caster wouldn't care so much, but an inexperienced one would find this troubling.

I have always prefered staves over wands and HoD swords, and I don't plan on changing that.

I use a +60 staff on my ele. I don't feel it's useless. I would never think about equiping a sword with him and I'd rather have the extra +30hp over the +5 energy.

Personally, I'd pick the sword, Because my monk looks chic with a katana, but, suit yourself.

Also, I've NEVER needed to target an enemy in PvE with my monk, cept in pre.

staff = +5 energy(+5 armor, +30 health) 20/20 recharge/cast and +1 attributes

sword = no damage +5 energy 20 enchanting(or +5 armor) 20 recharge or 20 cast and +1 attribute

or = no damage +5 energy 20 enchanting(or +5 armor or +30 health) 20/20 recast/recharge

So yes its better in the cases where you use enchantments and want 20/20 recharge, but it lacks in the area where you want +1 attribute, beacuse you cant get that on a sword.