Why Tier 5 Staves Matter
A tier 5 staff is a major magic upgrade when progressing through Fellhollow. It gives spell-focused players the damage needed to handle tougher enemies while keeping combat at a safer range.
There are two standard power level 5 choices: the Necromancer's Staff and the Splitbark Staff. They use the same staff attack combo and weigh the same, but their damage, durability, unlock conditions, and material priorities differ enough that choosing the right one can save a substantial amount of farming.
| Staff | Power level | Damage modifier | Durability | Attack combo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Necromancer's Staff | 5 | 5.9 | 1,050 | 4 |
| Splitbark Staff | 5 | 5.4 | 1,300 | 4 |
The Necromancer's Staff provides the higher rune damage modifier, while the Splitbark Staff lasts longer before needing repair. Neither is automatically best for every player; the practical choice depends on whether you value immediate damage or lower upkeep.
Both are two-handed magic weapons, so choosing one also means committing your main weapon slot to spellcasting during the encounter. That is usually worthwhile when you want safer ranged pressure, but keep a close-range backup available when a fight or resource run demands it.
Choosing Between the Two Tier 5 Staves
The Necromancer's Staff is the stronger offensive option. Its 5.9 rune damage modifier is the highest among the two tier 5 staves, making it a good fit for players who want to maximize each spell hit. The durability tradeoff matters most during long vault runs, repeated boss attempts, or extended combat sessions away from a repair setup.
Splitbark Staff sacrifices some raw damage for durability. At 1,300 durability, it has 250 more than the Necromancer's Staff. That makes it a dependable choice for exploration and regular world combat, especially if you prefer fewer interruptions for repairs.
| Consideration | Necromancer's Staff | Splitbark Staff |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Maximum magic damage | Longer outings and steady use |
| Rune damage modifier | 5.9 | 5.4 |
| Durability advantage | No | Yes |
| Repair material | Undead Bone | Hollow Bark |
| Recipe unlock | Dragonkin effigy in Vekchenven Kara | Obtain Hollow Bark |
Choose the Necromancer's Staff if your build is centered on spell damage and you can comfortably replace or repair it. Choose Splitbark if durability is more valuable to your current activities or Hollow Bark is easier for you to stockpile.
The damage gap is real, but it is not always decisive. Enemy resistances, critical hits, your current magic setup, rune type, combo hit, and whether an attack crosses an enemy’s remaining-health threshold can all matter more than a small listed difference.
A practical way to decide is to think about your next several hours of play. If you are pushing difficult targets and want every advantage on damage breakpoints, make the Necromancer's Staff. If you are mapping Fellhollow, collecting materials, and clearing ordinary enemies, Splitbark's durability may deliver more value before it needs attention.
Crafting Requirements and Unlocks
Both weapons are crafted at a Mystic Forge and require Artisan experience. Prepare the forge and gather the shared ingredients before committing to either recipe. Sacred Oil, Fine Thread, and Vault Shards are required for both staves, so those materials are the natural farming bottleneck.
| Material | Necromancer's Staff | Splitbark Staff |
|---|---|---|
| Undead Bone | 24 | — |
| Hollow Bark | — | 16 |
| Sacred Oil | 6 | 6 |
| Fine Thread | 4 | 4 |
| Vault Shard | 6 | 6 |
| Artisan experience required | 250 | 60 |
To unlock the Splitbark Staff, obtain Hollow Bark for the first time. This makes it the more accessible tier 5 crafting target from an Artisan-experience perspective.
The Necromancer's Staff recipe requires more progression. Enter the dragonkin vault at Vekchenven Kara in central Fellhollow, pass through a spectral door, and interact with the dragonkin effigy inside. The recipe becomes available after that interaction.
A useful crafting order is:
- Gather Fine Thread early, since it supports several tier 5 equipment recipes.
- Produce Sacred Oil before making the final staff decision, because both recipes need six.
- Save Vault Shards until you know whether your next upgrade is a staff, armor piece, or another weapon.
- Craft Splitbark first when you need a reliable tier 5 weapon quickly.
- Pursue the Necromancer's Staff when you can access Vekchenven Kara and want higher spell damage.
If you are short on one unique material, do not assume the other staff is inferior. Splitbark is a legitimate tier 5 weapon rather than a temporary placeholder, and its greater durability can make it the more comfortable everyday staff.
For repairs, the staffs also favor different resource loops. The Necromancer's Staff uses Undead Bone, while Splitbark uses Hollow Bark. Consider which material you naturally collect during your usual activities; a weapon that is easier for you to repair can be the more sustainable choice.
Using a Tier 5 Staff Effectively
Staves are ranged magic weapons that consume runes for their attacks. Keep both Air Runes and Fire Runes available so you can adjust to the encounter rather than forcing one element into every fight.
Air Rune attacks favor stronger single-target pressure and can create space through knockback. Fire Rune attacks offer wider coverage and stack damage over time, making them useful when several enemies are clustered together.
| Rune type | Primary strength | Useful situation |
|---|---|---|
| Air Runes | Higher single-target impact and knockback | Priority targets, safer spacing, focused damage |
| Fire Runes | Area coverage and stacking damage over time | Groups of enemies and sustained pressure |
Both tier 5 staves use a four-hit attack combo. The weapon changes the damage modifier and durability, but it does not create a separate spell kit. Your rune management, positioning, timing, and target selection remain the core of effective staff combat.
For solo play, keep distance and use terrain to avoid getting surrounded. Fire attacks can soften clustered enemies, while Air attacks can help control a dangerous enemy that closes the gap. In a group, staff users can contribute consistent ranged damage while allies draw enemy attention.
Remember that light and heavy staff attacks consume equipped rune ammunition. Carrying only one rune type can leave you less flexible during difficult fights. Bring enough runes for the activity, especially when entering vaults or other areas where returning to base is inconvenient.
Before a vault run, check three things: staff durability, your Air Rune and Fire Rune stacks, and whether you have a fallback weapon for enemies that force close positioning. This brief preparation prevents a strong tier 5 staff from becoming unusable halfway through a dangerous expedition.
The Necromancer's Staff can also be ascended at the Mystic Forge with Ascension Cores. Its listed rune damage rises through later power levels, although the means to create its power level 9 version has been affected by an in-game bug. Ascension is an investment decision: use it on the staff only if it remains your preferred magic weapon instead of replacing it with a later staff.
FAQ
What is the best runescape dragonwilds tier 5 staff?
For raw magic damage, the Necromancer's Staff is the stronger choice with a 5.9 rune damage modifier. For higher durability, the Splitbark Staff is better at 1,300 durability.
Where do I craft tier 5 staves?
Craft both the Necromancer's Staff and Splitbark Staff at a Mystic Forge.
How do I unlock the Necromancer's Staff recipe?
Enter the dragonkin vault Vekchenven Kara in central Fellhollow, use the spectral door, and interact with the dragonkin effigy.
Which tier 5 staff is easier to make?
Splitbark Staff requires only 60 Artisan experience and unlocks when you first acquire Hollow Bark. Necromancer's Staff requires 250 Artisan experience and recipe access from Vekchenven Kara.
Can tier 5 staves use both Air and Fire Runes?
Yes. Both staves can use Air or Fire Runes, and switching rune types lets you favor single-target knockback or area damage-over-time effects.