Rod (weapon type)

Rods (ロッド) are a recurring group of weapons from the Final Fantasy series. Those who wield Black Magic tend to use rods. The most recurring rods are the ones with elemental affinity (Ice Rod, Flame Rod or Thunder Rod), the Stardust Rod, and the Magus Rod, which tend to be identified as the ultimate of this weapon type. Practitioners of White Magic will in most cases use Staves instead. Rods usually increase the users Magic and MP when equipped.

Depending on the game, one may attack with the rod either by striking the enemy directly, or by magically unleashing a burst of energy.

About Rods
Akin to their sibling counterpart, the Staff, Rods also function as magic amplifying weapons designed for magic users. Usually featuring a thinner shaft and tipped with large elaborate ornaments, they also vary in size in contrast with staves throughout many games in the series, those variations bearing more similarity to traditional wands in RPG fare.

Likewise, they are aligned a majority of the time with offensive and destructive magic classes like the Black Mage.

Final Fantasy
The Earth Rod appears in Final Fantasy and it is not an equippable weapon, but rather a Key Item.

Final Fantasy III
Rods can be equipped by every Magic-based Job, but the White Mage can only equip some. Lilith Rod can only be equipped by Black Mages, while Millenium Rod can only be equipped by Magus.

Final Fantasy IV
Rods can be equipped by Palom, Tellah, Rydia, and Fusoya. Rydia is equipped with a Rod when she first joins the party. Using the Rod as an item in battle casts the non-elemental spell Magic Arrow.

Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-
Rods can be equipped by Palom and Rydia.

''Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
List of Rods:
 * Rod
 * Fire Rod
 * Ice Rod
 * Thunder Rod
 * Faerie Rod
 * Lilith Rod
 * Stardust Rod
 * Asura's Rod (Dummied)

Final Fantasy V
Rods can be equipped by every Magic-based job, excluding the White Mage and the Oracle, but may be used by anyone with the Time Mage's "Equip Rods" ability.

List of Rods:
 * Wonder Wand
 * Rod
 * Frost Rod
 * Thunder Rod
 * Flame Rod
 * Lilith Rod
 * Poison Rod
 * Magus Rod
 * Demon's Rod (GBA)

Final Fantasy VI
Rods can be equipped by Relm, Strago, and Gogo. Only Strago can equipped the Stardust Rod.

Final Fantasy VII
Some of Aeris' weapons are rods.

Final Fantasy IX
Dagger can wield rods in Final Fantasy IX. It is notable that this is the first game where a White Mage can equip rods.

Final Fantasy X
Yuna uses rods as her weapons of choice.

Final Fantasy X-2
Some of the rods previously used by Yuna are used by the White Mage and Black Mage Dresspheres.

Final Fantasy XI
Rods and wands are a type of Club weapon, usable by mages. Wands appear to be small paddles made out of wood, and provide bonuses to Magic stats. Rods appeared to be shaped like an ankh and were made out of metal or bones, and provided HP bonuses. Neither deal much melee damage.

Final Fantasy XII
In Final Fantasy XII, every party member can equip Rods, as long as they have acquired the right license. Rods boost Magick Power and MP, making them ideal for mages.

In the International Zodiac Job System, only the White Mage can equip the weapon.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Kytes can equip rods in Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. His basic attack is based on the weapon's element.

Final Fantasy XIII
Vanille uses rods as her weapons of choice. They function differently to previous rods in the series, in that they have extending wires that latch on and pull at the enemy.

Final Fantasy XIV
Rods can be used by the Thaumaturge class.

Final Fantasy Tactics
Rods can be equipped by Black Mages, Mystics, and Summoners. They boost elemental damage.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Rods can be equipped by the Time Mage, Black Mage, and Illusionist Jobs. They cost cheaper at the towns of Cyril, Cadoan, and Baguba Port.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Rods can be equipped by the Black Mage, Time Mage, Illusionist, Arcanist, and Dancer Jobs. Most are recurring from Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, but some have been added, in order to contain abilities to be taught to the two new Jobs.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
There are only a few rods in the game, as weapons for Yukes.

List of Rods:
 * Candy Rod
 * Striped Rod
 * Magic Wand
 * Mythril Rod
 * Rune Wand
 * Crystal Rod

Final Fantasy Dimensions
Rods are a class of weapon. The weapon named Rod, the most basic Rod available, provides an Attack of 5 and a bonus of one to Intelligence. It costs 80 Gil.

Dissidia Final Fantasy
Rods are a weapon type in Dissidia Final Fantasy and can be equipped by Firion, Onion Knight, Bartz, Terra, Shantotto, The Emperor, Cloud of Darkness, Golbez, Exdeath, Kefka, Ultimecia, and Kuja.

List of Rods:
 * Rod
 * Full Metal Staff
 * Guard Stick
 * Healing Rod
 * Flame Rod
 * Mythril Rod
 * Ice Rod
 * Mythril Rod+
 * Rod of Wisdom
 * Faerie Rod
 * Wizard's Rod
 * Crown Scepter
 * Holy Rod
 * Stardust Rod
 * Lufenian Rod

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Rods return as a weapon type in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, and can now be equipped by Yuna and Vaan in addition to their previous users.

List of Rods:
 * Rod
 * Guard Stick
 * Healing Rod
 * Mythril Rod
 * Rod of Wisdom
 * Full Metal Staff
 * Stun Rod
 * Faerie Rod
 * Wizard's Rod
 * Crown Scepter
 * Holy Rod
 * Meister Rod
 * Empyrean Rod
 * Assault Staff
 * Stardust Rod