Prism Staff (Final Fantasy VII)

Prism Staff
(プリズムロッド, Purizumu Roddo?, lit. Prism Rod)
Availability
Obtained	Cosmo Canyon
Character users	Aeris
Value	2,600 gil
Classification
Type	Staff
Range	Melee
Element	Hit
Specifications
Attack	40
Magic atk	10
Attack%	105
Materia slots	x2
Related pages
Recurring appearance	Prism Rod

The Prism Staff is a weapon for Aeris in Final Fantasy VII. It can be purchased from Cosmo Canyon, and has stats on-par with other weapons there. The weapon has four linked Materia slots. Prism Staff can be thrown.

Obtained

The Prism Staff can be purchased from Cosmo Canyon for 2,600 gil.

Mechanics

As the Prism Staff has a base Attack stat bonus of 40, the base damage for physical attacks when the Prism Staff is equipped is in the following formula:

$\text{Base Damage} = \text{(40 + Strength)} + \frac{\text{(40 + Strength)} + \text{Level}}{32} \times \frac{\text{(40 + Strength)} \times \text{Level}}{32}$

where "Level" is Aeris's current level and "Strength" is her Strength stat. The Prism Staff also has an Attack% (Accuracy) of 105%, and grants a +10 bonus to Aeris's Magic stat.

Use

Promotional render.

The Prism Staff is the most powerful weapon for Aeris around the time it is available. It has four linked Materia slots, and decent stats for Aeris. As with most of her weapons, Aeris should use the Prism Staff with a focus on magic damage.

The Prism Staff has two pairs of linked Materia slots, meaning all of them can benefit from Support Materia, namely All when paired with Magic Materia, which is best used on at least one pair. Because of Aeris's high Magic stat, boosted further by the weapon, it can be paired with offensive Magic Materia to allow her to clear waves of enemies with a single spell, or with a curative Materia, such as Restore, to heal all allies. The former is better for Aeris's otherwise lackluster offensive damage, while the latter can be helpful in dire situations. Though the player can use another Support Materia on the second pair, they may prefer instead to give Aeris another Magic Materia to give her more utility.

Prism Staff is Aeris's best well-rounded weapon until she travels either to Wutai, when the Aurora Rod is available, or the Temple of the Ancients, when she can acquire her ultimate weapon, Princess Guard. Many other weapons, such as Fairy Tale or Umbrella, have unique properties that excel in specific areas, but are less well-rounded overall.

Etymology

[view · edit · purge]In optics, a prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. The traditional geometrical shape is that of a triangular prism with a triangular base and rectangular sides, and in colloquial use "prism" usually refers to this type.