I think Skyrim should change the way magical staffs are used. In stead of being a gun that shoots magical spells, it should be a focuser for your own magic and spells and play into the two handed combat design.

Wield a spell in one hand and a magical staff in the other that empowers or alters or focuses that spell somehow.

Just a thought.

That way, the staff can still be used for melee as well.

I agree

I've never really been pleased with either Oblivion's or Morrowind's (except for being able to use the staffs for melee; I liked that in MW) ways of dealing with staffs. Using it as a "gun" with magical spells is something I don't really like.

I'm hoping for something completely new in Skyrim, but it seems as it's not like that (watch the trailer...).

Interesting idea, especially considering that single spells will already have multiple forms/uses in Skyrim. It'd be nice to actually strike enemies with an equipped staff as a melee weapon.

PS: I believe "staffs" and "staves" are both acceptable as a plural form of "staff". I tend to use "staffs", with the word "staves" reserved for its figurative meaning as in the idiom "stave off", eg,
"I staved off the temptation to correct the misuse of an apostrophe in the thread title." :thumbsup:

I like staves how they are. I would rather keep one with me for a spell I don't use often (like Light) or for a last ditch defense when low on Magicka. I don't like the idea of it just focusing the attack or powering it up, even though it would be cool as an added bonus. Maybe there could be many stave effects:

Reduced Cost for Spell Effect
Increase Duration of Spell Effect
Increase Area of Spell Effect
Same type as in Oblivion (Basically a rechargeable Scroll)
Constant Effect (Good for things like Light or making another Everscamp Staff, provided it isn't OP)

Things like that. Hell I want a Staff like this:

Staff of Reflection

Blocking a spell with the staff may cause the spell to be absorbed by the Staff (% Chance). If this happens you will not receive damage from the spell. Furthermore, you can fire that spell out of the Staff. You can absorb multiple spells and they will fire in the reverse order they were absorbed. So if you absorb a 10 second Light spell, then a 5 damage Fire spell, than a Turn Undead spell you would fire them out backwards (Turn Undead, 5 damage Fire, then 10 second Light).

That sounds bad ass.

From the trailer staves are one-handed spell casters.

Maybe they could also have a melee attack if they automatically attack together your other hand's weapon.

Also, dual-wielding two-handed staffs would look mildly ridiculous.

I don't think they are two-handed. http://files.g4tv.com/rimg_606x0/ImageDb3/265816_l/elder-scrolls-5-skyrim-screenshots.jpg guy is holding a one-handed sword and a one-handed staff (unless im completely wrong and that is some other sort of magical device)

Didn't we already see in the trailer that at least some stave's work the same way basically as Oblivion.

No you're right: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSRtYpNRoN0&feature=player_detailpage#t=94s

Dwemer Flashlight

One staff, several staves

Yes, my mistake, staffs are confirmed one-handed from the trailer/screenshots. (I thought it will just look a bit silly if you dual-wield staves)

This probably means that they'll either be set spells or chosen spells with no melee. (Unless if you attack with a sword, the staff automatically joins in).