Always take the Orb. this item still remains useful to a level 70 Mage, where as the staff can be replaced within a couple of levels if not already having better by the time you have the quest, with the possibility of 1200 mana for free, which you may have to wait 30 seconds for, is still great and even useful in raids.

i'm using (https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=873 https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=873) so i dont think ill be using anyof the items form thsi chain, disenchant i guess. unless i can find a better combo, not too sure

Rasore, you have so right, I have the Orb and I got a dagger too. It gives more specs then the staff does. So I would have pick the Orb = )

Take the orb...
The staff is good, but I would prefer Illusionary Rod given that you do this quest around lvl 34-40...(https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=7713 https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=7713)
Besides, if you have a dagger or a sword the choice is obvious^^

Actually I'm going to try and get my orb right now with my lvl 36 mage...

Good luck everyone<3

Take into account, that the cooldown of the orb is 30 minutes, so it can be used only swapping it with something else in your inventory, as stated above.

I'm going to see about chanting more intel on the Celestial Stave because the damage and healing is down-right awesome for those levels. But that orb really isn't anything to jump up and down over imo. I never have a problem running out of mana and if I do I don't want to wait for the orb to equip-cooldown to use. 400 to 1200 is a pretty big threshold to bank on if you're in a bad spot. Also, considering you can start the chain for this quest at only 35, Twinks should take notice here

You guys shouldn't be even doing this quest, after few levels you gain better items from random mobs or quest rewards. Anyways, this quest doesn't even give enough xp/h so it would benefit enough.

I can recommend the staff hands down. I added the intel enchant and it lasted me until I got to Outlands.

I keep it in the bank and pull it out when I hear young mages wishing they had a better weapon and somehow they haven't started this quest string yet. Seems no time at all and they are back to show me their new staff! Why spend time in the AH when you can get xp AND a nice weapon too?

So spread the word.

I have a 39 Frost Mage and I sold the Staff. With Hypnotic Blade and the Prophetic Stave(or staff) why would I want either? I have better stats and a damage bonus so who in their right mind would want to use either of these items? The 1200 mana in decent but the gold is worth more to me.

Remember. Play your way, not how others tell you you should play, it's a game for fun so have some.

i didnt want either of the rewards...the orb is 30min cooldown, can only be used 30sec after you equip it, and has an average of only restoring 800 mana, which is not that good for me. and the staff was out of the question because i had https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=7713 Illusionary Rod.

Yea I took the orb...

...then I disenchanted that mug!

You can do the new quest in DWM that gives you https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=33266 https://vanillawowdb.com/?item=33266
6 int 5 spi 13 dmg which is better imo and will last longer.

The previous quest chain starts with: https://vanillawowdb.com/?quest=1953 https://vanillawowdb.com/?quest=1953 . You have to complete the hole chain before obtaining one of those rewards.

I still personally think the hypnotic blade and the prophetic cane are a better combo than using this offhand.

cery nice orb, but staff can be enchanted, while the best onehand choice from SM can not. Go for the staff, 40sp is better for mage than 3 int and 3 spirit.
OR dont do this q at all and go buy Staff of Jordan xD