Use (or not) of the newly available staff tree for wardens

[sofocles]

Since the best guide so far for wardens (only one too) uses staff and bow, i was wondering now that the whole staff tree thing is unlockable... how good is it?
ideas? combos?

[AlexanderR]

I am by no means qualified in this area, but I have huge doubts in usefulness of Staff Combat for Wardens. Starting arrows have 70 Dex + 50 Str damage modifier, while most of staffs have 100 Mag modifier. You need either staff with "potent" ego or ~140 Mag artifact staff to get sufficient damage out of it. Staffs have no additional attack types / associated talents, only bolt attack and melee hit (btw Weapon Folding will work for them only in melee). Staffs do not have on-hit effects. Finally, Channel Staff uses Mana, which Wardens do not naturally regenerate, so goodbye another inscription slot.

IMO, only strong points of Staff Combat are zero cooldown of ranged attack (useful for single-element archmages, necromancers etc.) and ability to pass through allies. None of those are interesting for Wardens.

[sofocles]

thx for the imput!
the build maxes mag and dex not str...
im trying the build myself, but since the weapon folding dmg isnt aplied im guessin its only worthwhile for melee
more on that ?anybody know what penalty is there for using bows at melee range?
mmm so maybe i will 5/5 the staff dmg... not sure.