Question about MW monks

[mortix]

Is there any difference in using a staff or a 1h + offhand?

Thanks!

[WayOfTheTiger]

Is there any difference in using a staff or a 1h + offhand?

Thanks!

For fistweaving there is a tiny difference in where your damage and healing comes from, but the play style doesn't change. Just use whatever gear is better.

[mertas]

I think 1h + offhand is better , you will see what is that speed :)

[acko993]

Actually 2hand staff will be better then 1hand +offhand.
1hand weapon have better auto attack dps, while staff will make more dps with abilities, thus making it better.

[BlueAo]

If you plan in Fist-weaving, 1h is better.
Otherwise, there's no difference.

[acko993]

Based on what, because i have been looking on some numbers, and as already said 2handed id better, I might be wrong and you might have some clear data?

[JagAcademy]

To answer OP's question...no, not really. I read article after article, debate after debate, and it's pretty much inconclusive. Go with whatever you like more.

[trastika]

For a MW and Brewmaster, the choice is always the Dual-Wield. Because your goal is healing or tanking, not doing more dmg. In this point you have more much more attack speed, faster healing (as fistwaving) or more aggro holding as a brewmaster in case of target holdings.

[acko993]

All dmg you make with abilities and auto attack is converted to healing. Yes you have faster auto attack with 1 hand but it's lower, also you dmg with abilities is lower. For brewmaster dual wield is also better, but not because of better aggro management but because each auto attack crit will grant you 1 elusive brew and with faster weapon you will crit faster.

[hindustani1]

two hand start and 1hand offhand stat r quite same but if u wear one hand offhand then u can ench. 165 int on ur off hand that 165int is extra stat

[Freakpanda]

two hand start and 1hand offhand stat r quite same but if u wear one hand offhand then u can ench. 165 int on ur off hand that 165int is extra stat

1h + offhand for classic MW (not viable now 'cause the serpent stance haste contribution on spell and the Serpent's Accourd on the statue are bugged), Staff for fistweaving (more skill damage = more healing, see Eminence and other similar effects).

[Rakuzan]

two hand start and 1hand offhand stat r quite same but if u wear one hand offhand then u can ench. 165 int on ur off hand that 165int is extra stat

This is mostly the reason. Ever since cata most players recommend using one-hand + off-hand combination for priests and druids, or even to most spellcasters because of the off-hand enchant which gives intellect. (and in cata there is an emphasis in the main stat - which is intellect for spellcasters)

However if you are going to compare, a 2-handed staff gives more stats to the combined stats of one-hand and offhand, the difference is now balanced by the enchant on off-hand.

this means:

2-hand (staff) = Lesser int, but more secondary stats (spirit, critical, mastery, haste ratings)
1-hand + off-hand = more int, but less secondary stats (spirit, critical, mastery, haste ratings)

choice is yours. personally i prefer using 2-hand staves for my healers (priest, druid, and monk).

[Rakuzan]

Elaboration of my post above: Here are concrete examples.
NOTE: all stats are copied in-game in frostwolf.

Mace (Tyrannical Gladiator's Gavel)

Spoiler: Show

801 stamina
534 intellect
7141 Spell power
356 Critical Strike
356 Mastery
3099 PvP Power

Off-hand (Tyrannical Gladiator's Reprieve)

Spoiler: Show

1041 Stamina
694 intellect + 165 (enchant)
463 spirit
463 mastery
3096 pvp power

One-hand + Off-hand combination (Mace + Off-hand) Total:
Stamina: 1842 (801 + 1041)
Intellect: 1393 (534 + 694 + 165)
Spirit: 463
Critical: 356
Mastery: 819 (356 + 463)
Spell Power: 7141
PvP Power: 6195 (3099 + 3096)

===================================

2-hand stat summary: Staff (Tyrannical Gladiator's Energy Staff)
Stamina: 1869
Intellect: 1246
Spirit: 831
Mastery: 831
Spell Power: 7139
PvP Power: 6195
==========================

Staff (Tyrannical Gladiator's Energy Staff)
lets try reforging spirit to critical strike rating so we can compare more by having all stats present in both cases:

Spoiler: Show

Stamina: 1869
Intellect: 1246
Spirit: 499
Critical: 332 (reforged from spirit)
Mastery: 831
Spell Power: 7139
PvP Power: 6195

========================
COMPARISON

Spoiler: Show

Stamina: 1842 - 1869 = (27 points more in 2-hand)

Intellect: 1393 - 1246 = (147 points more in 1-hand + off-hand)

Spirit: 463 - 831 = (368 points more in 2-hand);
***If 2-hand is reforged: 463 - 499 (36 points more in 2-hand)

Critical: 356 more in one-hand + off-hand
***If 2-hand is reforged: 356 - 332 - (24 points more in one-hand + off-hand)

Mastery: 819 - 831 (12 points more in 2-hand)

Spell Power: 7141 - 7139 (2 points more in one-hand + off-hand)

PvP Power : 6195 - 6195 (0, this means equal in both cases)

===================
CONCLUSION:

one-hand + off-hand combination:
Intellect: 147 points greater
Critical: 356 points greater (24 points if 2-hand is reforged)
Spell Power: 2 points greater

2-hand
Stamina: 27 points greater
Spirit: 368 points greater (36 points if 2--hand is reforged)
Mastery: 12 points greater

[tobtej]

"one-hand + off-hand combination:
Intellect: 147 points greater
Critical: 356 points greater (24 points if 2-hand is reforged)
Spell Power: 2 points greater

2-hand
Stamina: 27 points greater
Spirit: 368 points greater (36 points if 2--hand is reforged)
Mastery: 12 points greater"

So one-hand + off-hand has more desireable Stat for Mw then 2hand.

[Rakuzan]

So one-hand + off-hand has more desireable Stat for Mw then 2hand.

depends on how you want to build your character. Personally, i prefer 2-hand because of the spirit (unreforged). If you think high intel works for you, go for it. Most guides i've seen tho recommend prioritizing intellect as #1 stat.