Can we expect enhancements to the magic system to enable damage&support ranged spellcaster roles?

[sand stump]

Right now magic feels more supportive to melee combat. Many players are eager to see the more diverse gameplay options and inclusion of staffs/wands or other magic-focused weapons to complement the expanded spellcasting abilities.

[unreal dune]

Staves seem like they would not be thematically compatible and would be a bizarre addition. If you wanted a dedicated magick casting tool (which... why? To take up another hotbar slot when you could have a current tool doing double duty?), it should probably be something thematically appropriate, like a small astrolabe or sextant.

If you have high MP on your gear, you already have a ranged DPS option (aside from bees). Your Magick Power increases the damage you do with magical ammunition. Switching from casting Quake and Brambles using a magick scythe to pulling out a rifle and shooting magick-infused ammunition downrange is very gaslamp fantasy adventure.

If you're looking for a game where you can wield a magic staff and cast direct damage ranged spells, there are thousands of games where you can already do that.
https://tenor.com/view/the-office-fireball-gif-22124301

[sand stump]

I think staves or wands would fit with the game's theme, especially considering that NPCs already use them. Even in real history groups like hermetics used wands, they're a natural fit for the setting. These tools with unique twists that are already in the setting of the game can be integrated seamlessly into the 'gaslamp fantasy' theme, and we're in the Faewilds.

That said, I think the specific shape of the magic casting tool isn't the most important thing. Be it a wand, astrolabe, crystal-infused glove, or some other device that create resonant frequencies that manipulate magical energies, the goal here is to give players diverse choices for ranged magical attacks and to make the fantasy experience richer. Instead of being stuck with just melee weapons or guns, having magical implements would add a whole new layer of depth to the gameplay.

I've put more than 250 hours into the game, I've seen the current options for magic playstyles, and they're just not cutting it. The current loop of casting quake every 30 seconds and then resorting to shooting elemental-infused bullets with a rifle feels a bit stale.

[unreal dune]

Hmmn. You do make good points. Wands and staves are not perhaps entirely genre-breaking. It seems a greater diversity of spells would likely fix this, though, allowing people to develop their own style. I may enjoy that the ranged direct damage is gun-delivered because I've always enjoyed the concept of the gun mage, which is why I'm happy to have the "finger-waggling" spells be primarily support and crowd control. I don't see any particular harm in putting in more traditional spells even if I might not choose to use them.