Blade Staff

The Blade Staff is an aerial melee Hardmode summon weapon. When summoned, an Enchanted Dagger appears suspended above the player's head, attacking enemies within range by flying toward and through them repeatedly. Its attacks ignore 25 enemy defense, making it more effective than its damage stat would normally indicate. It has a 1/35 (2.86%) chance of being dropped by Enchanted Swords.

Its best modifiers are Demonic, Deadly, Mystic, or Hurtful. Unlike most summon weapons, the Blade Staff has no knockback, so it cannot obtain the Ruthless modifier. Due to its low base damage, all damage-improving modifiers improve its damage by the same amount.

Tips

 * The weapon's damage output can be greatly improved against enemies with more than 25 defense by applying Ichor or equipping a Shark Tooth Necklace. Summon tag damage also drastically improves its damage output: Snapthorn is the best option before taking on Hardmode bosses. Firecracker is less useful due to the explosion damage being based on the Blade Staff's own damage, which is relatively low.
 * This makes the Blade Staff particularly effective against the Twins.
 * Due to its ability to ignore a portion of enemy defense, the Blade Staff is a great weapon for summoners in early-to-mid Hardmode, as it is available as soon as Hardmode is initiated. However, considering the Blade Staff's low drop rate, the Spider Staff may be a better option to obtain first.
 * Because of its rapid attack rate, it is an effective summon for killing a Dungeon Guardian.
 * Although it has no knockback, it can gain knockback from accessories like the Papyrus Scarab or buffs like Well Fed. This can drastically increase its effectiveness against stronger enemies, as several Daggers can lock an enemy in place.

Trivia

 * Despite being a Hardmode drop, the Blade Staff has the lowest base damage out of all summon weapons.
 * Including the ignored enemy defense, the Blade Staff's effective base damage is around 18.
 * Along with the Stardust Dragon Staff, Desert Tiger Staff and Raven Staff, the Blade Staff is one of 4 summon weapons whose buff description is not "(Minion) will fight for you," instead being "Death by a thousand cuts."
 * "Death by a thousand cuts" was a torture and execution method used in Imperial China.