Which Staff is Better Than the Meteorite Staff in Elden Ring?
The Meteorite Staff is undeniably a powerhouse in the early stages of Elden Ring, boasting exceptional S-scaling with Intelligence at a mere 18 INT requirement and a boost to gravity sorceries. However, its inability to be upgraded leaves players wondering – what staff can surpass this early game champion? The short answer is that several staffs will eventually outperform the Meteorite Staff, especially when upgraded. The best replacement options will vary depending on your playstyle, Intelligence stat, and progression through the game, but the general consensus is that upgraded staffs are significantly better in the late game.
When the Meteorite Staff Falls Short
The Meteorite Staff’s non-upgradable nature is its greatest limitation. While it shines in the early to mid-game, offering a powerful starting point for sorcery builds, it will be outpaced by other staves as you progress. Several key alternatives emerge as superior choices once they are upgraded with Smithing Stones or Somber Smithing Stones. Let’s examine the top contenders.
Demi-Human Queen’s Staff: A Viable Mid-Game Option
The Demi-Human Queen’s Staff stands out as a solid mid-game alternative for those not specializing in gravity sorceries. At a modest +13 upgrade, the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff surpasses the Meteorite Staff in damage output, provided your Intelligence stat is around 36. However, it is important to note that before this upgrade level, the Meteorite Staff remains superior. Therefore, players looking to switch from the Meteorite Staff, should be diligent in upgrading this staff to reach its optimal potential and beat the meteorite staff in a non-gravity build.
Academy Glintstone Staff: Stepping Up the Power
The Academy Glintstone Staff offers another step up in power for non-gravity sorceries. Once upgraded to +14 or higher, it will beat the Meteorite Staff if you have an Intelligence stat of 36. This is a great choice if you’re actively using spells beyond just gravity types and are looking for a strong, reliable staff that will scale well with upgrades.
Carian Regal Scepter: The All-Around Champion
The Carian Regal Scepter is often cited as one of the best all-around staffs in Elden Ring, and it’s the next logical step when moving on from the meteorite staff, especially for high-Intelligence builds. With its exceptional scaling, the Carian Regal Scepter will start outdamaging the Meteorite Staff at around +6 or +7 and if you have between 45-60 Intelligence. Note that this staff requires a hefty 60 Intelligence to wield effectively. This staff truly shines in the late game when you have invested heavily in Intelligence and can get this staff to higher levels.
Lusat’s Glintstone Staff: Maximum Damage Potential
For players seeking the absolute highest sorcery damage, Lusat’s Glintstone Staff is the go-to choice. This staff reaches S-tier scaling with Intelligence at just +3 and scales up to a whopping 314 when maxed out at +10. However, this raw power comes with a drawback: spells cast with Lusat’s staff consume more FP (Focus Points), so you’ll need to manage your resources carefully. This is the highest damage staff in the game when max upgraded.
Astrologer’s Staff: A Simple But Solid Alternative
The starting staff, Astrologer’s Staff, also surpasses the Meteorite Staff when upgraded with smithing stones. While it might not boast the highest damage potential, its ease of access and solid scaling make it a practical choice for players looking to upgrade their first staff and move beyond the limitations of the Meteorite Staff.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Staves in Elden Ring
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better navigate the world of Glintstone Staves in Elden Ring:
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Is the Meteorite Staff the best staff in the early game? Yes, the Meteorite Staff is considered one of the best early-game staves due to its high base damage and S-scaling with Intelligence from the very beginning without needing any upgrade investment.
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Can the Meteorite Staff be upgraded? No, the Meteorite Staff cannot be upgraded with Smithing Stones, which is its primary limitation compared to other staves.
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When should I swap out the Meteorite Staff? You should consider swapping out the Meteorite Staff once you have upgraded another staff such as the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff to +13 or higher for lower INT builds, or once you can obtain and upgrade a staff like the Carian Regal Scepter for higher INT builds.
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Is the Demi-Human Queen’s Staff better than the Meteorite Staff? Yes, but only when upgraded to +13 or higher with an Intelligence stat of at least 36, and only when using non-gravity sorceries. Before +13, the Meteorite Staff wins.
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Is the Academy Glintstone Staff better than the Meteorite Staff? Yes, the Academy Glintstone Staff surpasses the Meteorite Staff when upgraded to +14 or higher with an Intelligence of 36 for non-gravity sorceries.
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Is the Carian Regal Scepter better than the Meteorite Staff? Yes, the Carian Regal Scepter will outperform the Meteorite Staff at around +6 or +7 with between 45-60 Intelligence. It is ideal for high-Intelligence builds due to its high scaling and damage.
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Is Lusat’s Staff the best staff in Elden Ring? Yes, Lusat’s Staff has the potential for the highest damage output, achieving S-scaling at only +3 and maxing at 314 scaling. However, its FP cost is high.
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Is the Astrologer’s Staff better than the Meteorite Staff? Yes, the starting Astrologer’s Staff can eventually outperform the Meteorite Staff once it’s upgraded with Smithing Stones, making it a solid, early-to-mid-game option.
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What is the best all-around staff in Elden Ring? The Carian Regal Scepter is considered the best all-around staff, balancing damage and Intelligence scaling.
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Can I use Ash of War on staves? Some Glintstone Staves can be infused with a single Ash of War, Spinning Weapon, allowing for a unique attack style. The Carian Regal Scepter has a unique spinning weapon skill.
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What is the fastest staff to get in Elden Ring? The Meteorite Staff is arguably the fastest to acquire as you can warp to the area using a trapped chest, making it an ideal early game option.
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Which staff boosts gravity spells? The Meteorite Staff is the only staff with a unique passive that boosts gravity type sorceries.
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What is the best weapon to pair with the Meteorite Staff? A popular pairing with the Meteorite Staff in the early game is the Moonveil Katana, which also scales with INT, offering a good mix of melee and magic damage.
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What is the best spell to use with the Meteorite Staff? Rock Sling is a great spell to use with the Meteorite Staff. It deals physical damage, has a long range, and receives the gravity boost from the staff.
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How do you get two Meteorite Staves? The Meteorite Staff is unique, and you can only acquire one per playthrough. It can be found in Caelid, in a ruined tower, and can be accessed early by using the trapped chest in Dragon-Burnt Ruins in Limgrave.
Conclusion
While the Meteorite Staff is an excellent early-game tool for magic users, its lack of upgradeability limits its potential later in Elden Ring. Players should look to upgrade other staffs as they progress. The Demi-Human Queen’s Staff, Academy Glintstone Staff, Carian Regal Scepter, and Lusat’s Glintstone Staff all emerge as superior options with proper investment and stat distribution. Ultimately, the best staff for you will depend on your specific build, playstyle, and how you choose to invest in your Intelligence stat and weapon upgrades.