As its name implies, the longstaff is a longer version of the quarterstaff. The extra length makes the weapon much more difficult to use, but those skilled in its use are better able to protect themselves from multiple attackers when fighting cautiously.
If you are proficient with the longstaff and you fight defensively or employ the total defence combat maneuver, you cannot be flanked for the rest of the round. This benefit also applies if you are proficient in the weapon, have the Combat Expertise feat, and shift at least 2 points of your attack bonus to Armour Class for the round.
A longstaff is a double weapon. You can fight with it as if fighting with two weapons, but if you do, you incur all the normal attack penalties associated with fighting with two weapons, just as if you were fighting with a one-handed weapon and a light weapon (see Two-Weapon Fighting). You can also strike with either end singly. A creature wielding a longstaff in one hand can’t use it as a double weapon — only one end of the weapon can be used in any given round.
The longstaff is a special monk weapon. This designation gives a monk wielding a longstaff special options (see the flurry of blows).
Characters proficient with the longstaff can treat it as a quarterstaff for the purpose of any of the following feats: Greater Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization.
| Range | Damage | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Cost | Damage | Critical | Increment | Type | Special | |
| Longstaff | 6 lb. | 15 gp | 1d6/1d6 | ×2 | — | Bludgeoning | Double, Monk |
Source: Dragon Magazine #331 (Page 25), Complete Adventurer (Page 116)