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Quarterstaff of the Acrobat

Quarterstaff Of The Acrobat
  • Category: Weapon (Quarterstaff)
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.

While holding this weapon, you can cause it to emit green Dim Light out to 10 feet, either as a Bonus Action or after you roll Initiative, or you can extinguish the light as a Bonus Action.

While holding this weapon, you can take a Bonus Action to alter its form, turning it into a 6 -inch rod (for ease of storage) or a 10 -foot pole, or reverting it a Quarterstaff; the weapon will elongate only as far as the surrounding space allows.

In certain forms, the weapon has the following additional properties.

Acrobatic Assist (Quarterstaff and 10-Foot Pole Forms Only). While holding this weapon, you have Advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.

Attack Deflection (Quarterstaff Form Only). When you are hit by an attack while holding the weapon, you can take a Reaction to twirl the weapon around you, gaining a +5 bonus to your Armor Class against the triggering attack, potentially causing the attack to miss you. You can't use this property again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Ranged Weapon (Quarterstaff Form Only). This weapon has the Thrown property with a normal range of 30 feet and a long range of 120 feet. Immediately after you make a ranged attack with the weapon, it flies back to your hand.

Tactical Applications​

Versatile Combat Tool: Provides +2 enhancement with multiple forms and acrobatic capabilities. Exceptional for mobility-focused combat, tactical positioning, and defensive maneuvering through enhanced agility and weapon versatility.

Class Synergies:

  • Monk Builds: Perfect for monks wanting enhanced mobility and quarterstaff combat effectiveness with form-changing utility
  • Acrobatic Fighters: Essential for characters focusing on mobility and agility-based combat tactics
  • Mobility Specialists: Excellent for characters requiring enhanced movement and positioning capabilities
  • Versatile Warriors: Outstanding for any character wanting a multi-purpose weapon with defensive and utility options

Build Considerations: Requires attunement but provides ongoing combat and utility benefits. Most valuable for characters prioritizing movement, defense, and weapon versatility.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires transformation magic, acrobatic enchantments, and agility essences. Creation cost 12,000-25,000 gp and takes 20 weeks.

Common Sources:

  • Master weapon enchanters and mobility specialists
  • Treasure hoards of legendary acrobats and versatile warriors
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in transformation magic
  • Found in the collections of acrobatic masters and weapon specialists
  • Sometimes discovered in acrobatic schools or obtained from agile creature encounters

Alternative Acquisition: Often found in locations with connections to acrobatic training and versatile combat techniques.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 18,000-35,000 gp, with higher demand among monks and versatility-focused combatants.

Trade Considerations: Popular among acrobatic fighters and anyone requiring enhanced mobility with weapon versatility.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with acrobatic training, versatile combat techniques, or professional performance requiring agility and adaptability.

Character Concepts:

  • Acrobatic warrior with mobility expertise and versatile combat experience
  • Monk specialist using enhanced agility for tactical positioning and defensive maneuvering
  • Character with extensive acrobatic training and performance background
  • Versatile combatant combining enhanced movement with adaptive weapon techniques

Adventure Hooks​

The Acrobatic Challenge: Adventures requiring enhanced mobility where agility and versatility determine success.

The Defensive Mission: Scenarios where enhanced AC and defensive capabilities enable survival against overwhelming odds.

The Versatility Test: Encounters where weapon adaptability provides crucial tactical advantages.

The Performance Quest: Adventures involving acrobatic performance where enhanced agility advances objectives.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Quarterstaff of the Acrobat (Legendary): Enhanced bonuses and additional forms with improved acrobatic capabilities.

Quarterstaff of Legendary Agility (Artifact): Includes flight capabilities and supreme acrobatic enhancement with multiple magical forms.

Monk's Acrobatic Staff (Very Rare): Optimized for monk builds with enhanced martial arts integration and ki synergy.

Specialized Variants:

  • Performer's Acrobatic Staff: Enhanced for entertainment with improved performance bonuses and crowd appeal
  • Guardian's Defensive Staff: Optimized for protection with enhanced defensive capabilities and ally benefits
  • Explorer's Versatile Staff: Specialized for adventure with enhanced utility forms and environmental adaptation

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient acrobatic warriors who needed reliable enhancement for versatile combat and performance arts.

Historical Significance: These quarterstaffs enabled legendary acrobatic feats and the development of defensive combat techniques.

Cultural Impact: Represent the mastery of versatile combat and the artistic applications of enhanced agility in warfare.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates understanding of transformation magic and the complex processes required for multi-form weapons.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 8-16 when versatile weapons become important and defensive capabilities provide significant advantages.

Campaign Impact: Provides ongoing combat enhancement balanced by attunement requirement and specific weapon focus.

Versatility Focus: Most valuable in campaigns featuring diverse challenges requiring adaptable solutions.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Mobility scenarios where enhanced agility enables tactical positioning and environmental navigation
  • Defensive encounters where AC bonuses and deflection abilities provide crucial survival advantages
  • Versatility challenges where weapon adaptability enables creative problem-solving
  • Performance situations where acrobatic enhancement advances entertainment and social objectives

Tactical Adjustments: Encounters may need to account for enhanced AC, mobility, and weapon versatility.

Versatile Weapons: Other items that enhance weapon adaptability and provide multiple combat options.

Acrobatic Equipment:

  • Items that improve acrobatic effectiveness and mobility performance
  • Equipment for enhanced movement and defensive maneuvering
  • Tools for quarterstaff combat and versatile weapon techniques

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance mobility abilities or provide additional defensive benefits.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Acrobatic Mastery: Characters develop expertise in enhanced mobility and versatile combat techniques.

Performance Excellence: Agility capabilities create opportunities for impressive acrobatic displays and entertainment.

Defensive Leadership: Enhanced protection enables responsibility for party defense and tactical positioning.