As the gaming world continues to buzz about the phenomenon that is Black Myth: Wukong, veterans of this challenging action RPG are diving deep into New Game+ to discover all its secrets. For those brave souls embarking on their second journey through this mythical Chinese landscape, choosing the right weapon isn't just a matter of preference—it's essential for survival. Let's explore the magnificent seven staffs that will make your NG+ experience less of a headache and more of a triumphant parade!

The Power of Persistence: Staffs for Your Second Journey

When players complete their initial run through the main story, they're granted the privilege of keeping their hard-earned weapons, armor, Gourds, and curios. This generous carry-over system means you'll start your second cycle with a significant advantage—if you choose wisely, that is. Our intrepid hero, the Destined One, needs the right tool for the job, especially with the ramped-up difficulty that awaits in NG+.

It's been nearly a year since the game's release, and the community has thoroughly tested and ranked these weapons. Some players swear by high damage output, while others prefer sustainability. One thing's for certain—our monkey protagonist isn't monkeying around when it comes to staff selection!

7. Staff of Blazing Karma: The Ground-Breaking Inferno

The Staff of Blazing Karma sits at the seventh spot on our list, but don't let that ranking fool you—this fiery stick packs a punch that would make even the most hardened Yaoguai sweat. Crafted from three Samhadi Fire Crystals obtained after defeating the Flint Chief, Flint Vanguard, and Mother of Flamlings in Chapter Five, this staff turns the battlefield into a volcanic playground.

For Smash Stance enthusiasts, this weapon is particularly enticing. When you unleash a heavy attack costing three or more Focus Points, the ground around you erupts with lava, creating a devastating area of effect. One can almost hear the satisfying sizzle as enemies foolish enough to stand nearby get roasted like marshmallows at a campfire.

With its high attack stat and 10 burn resistance, this staff makes an excellent companion against flame-wielding bosses. The author personally witnessed a friend obliterate the Black Bear Guai with this staff, turning what was once a nightmare fight into a walk in the park. Who doesn't love fighting fire with more fire?

6. Golden Loong Staff: Thunder and Lightning, Very Very Frightening

For those who prefer the elegant precision of the Pillar Stance, the Golden Loong Staff offers a shocking advantage. Craftable as an upgrade to the Loongwreathe Staff after defeating the Cyan Loong, this weapon summons the power of thunder to supplement your attacks.

The staff's passive ability increases damage done by Pillar Stance attacks and, when using heavy attacks that cost three or four focus points, summons a Loong to cast Thunder at your target. It's like having your own personal storm cloud following you around, ready to zap enemies at your command!

While it may be outscaled in the late stages of NG+, the Golden Loong Staff remains a solid choice for those early encounters where a little extra stagger can make all the difference. The author finds there's something immensely satisfying about watching enemies twitch and convulse under the electrical assault—is that wrong? Perhaps, but it's undeniably effective.

5. Stormflash Loong Staff: Living Dangerously

Now we're getting into the NG+ exclusive territory with the Stormflash Loong Staff. This weapon epitomizes the "high risk, high reward" philosophy that some players live by. With its massive base attack stat and Thunder damage capability, it can turn the Destined One into a walking lightning storm.

But there's a catch—and it's a big one. The extra Thunder damage only triggers if you're Shocked while hitting enemies. Yes, you read that correctly. This staff wants you to be vulnerable to deal maximum damage. It's like fighting with one paw tied behind your back, except that paw is occasionally being electrocuted.

When paired with the Yaksha Outrage Armor set from Chapter Five, which increases damage as health decreases, you've got a recipe for either brilliant success or spectacular failure. The author watched in both awe and horror as a fellow player deliberately kept themselves at 20% health throughout an entire boss fight, dealing obscene amounts of damage while constantly on the verge of death. Is this madness or genius? In the world of Black Myth: Wukong, sometimes they're one and the same.

4. Chitin Staff: The Vampire's Dream

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Enter the Chitin Staff, a weapon that heals you slightly each time you connect with a Charged Attack. The healing scales with the number of Focus Points the attack costs, turning every successful hit into a mini health potion.

While it may not boast the highest attack or crit chance, the Chitin Staff makes up for it with pure staying power. It's the tortoise in a race full of hares—slow and steady, but remarkably difficult to kill. For players still finding their footing in NG+, this staff provides a comfortable safety net.

The author remembers struggling with a particularly challenging boss until switching to this staff. The fight went from a quick defeat to a 15-minute war of attrition—not the most glamorous victory, but a victory nonetheless. Sometimes, isn't survival the ultimate skill expression?

3. Visionary Centipede: Poison and Patience

Taking the healing concept one step further, the Visionary Centipede Staff offers even more health regeneration, with an additional healing bonus when striking poisoned enemies. This makes it the perfect companion for transformation abilities like Poison Claw, creating a synergistic relationship between your staff and spell choices.

With slightly better stats than its Chitin predecessor, the Visionary Centipede represents a natural upgrade path for players who value sustainability above all else. It's like having a constant drip-feed of healing that only gets stronger as you specialize your build.

The poison synergy adds a tactical layer to combat—suddenly you're not just trying to deal damage, but also managing status effects to maximize your healing potential. The author has spent countless hours perfecting the timing between poison application and heavy attacks, turning what could be a simple button-mashing exercise into a carefully orchestrated dance of death and recovery.

2. Adept Spine-Shooting Fuban Staff: The Prickly Powerhouse

Only craftable in New Game+, the Adept Spine-Shooting Fuban Staff represents the pinnacle of the healing staff lineage. Not only does it continue the tradition of health regeneration on heavy attacks, but it also shoots out spines that damage nearby enemies.

This staff doesn't require any special conditions to activate its full potential—no self-inflicted shock status, no poison prerequisites. It simply works, making it one of the most user-friendly options for NG+ players. Add to that an incredible 25% boost to critical hit chance, and you've got a weapon that both keeps you alive and helps you end fights quickly.

The author finds this staff particularly useful in crowded encounters, where the spine projectiles can hit multiple enemies at once. There's something deeply satisfying about landing a heavy attack on one enemy and watching another drop dead from the spines without even being directly targeted. Talk about efficiency!

1. Jingubang: The Staff of Legend

At the top of our list sits the legendary Jingubang Staff, a weapon worthy of the Monkey King himself. With an impressive 135 attack and 6% increase to critical hit chance, this staff turns the Destined One into a veritable force of nature.

When paired with the complete Monkey King armor set, the Jingubang becomes even more formidable, increasing critical hit chance after casting spells and reducing spell cooldowns. It's a spellcaster's dream, allowing for high damage output and frequent ability usage.

Acquiring this weapon is no small feat—you must defeat four bosses in Chapter Six: Gold Armored Rhino, Cloudtreading Deer, Feng-Tail General, and Emerald-Armed Mantis. After these conquests, a trip to the Water Curtain Cave while wearing the full armor set will trigger a cutscene, rewarding you with this magnificent staff.

The author spent three days hunting down this weapon, and the payoff was worth every moment of frustration. The first swing of the Jingubang feels like ascending to godhood—enemies that once posed a threat now seem like minor inconveniences to be swept aside. But perhaps that's the point of the journey? To struggle, to grow, and finally to triumph with the power of legend in your hands.

A Staff for Every Style

The beauty of Black Myth: Wukong's weapon system lies in its diversity. Whether you prefer to play it safe with healing staffs, live dangerously with conditional powerhouses, or strike a balance with all-rounders, there's a weapon to match your playstyle.

As we look at these seven staffs, one can't help but wonder: is there truly a "best" weapon, or is the best weapon simply the one that fits your unique approach to the game? Does the staff make the monkey, or does the monkey make the staff? In a game so rich with mythology and metaphor, perhaps the weapon choice itself is a reflection of our own gaming philosophy.

As the Destined One continues his journey through cycles of rebirth and challenge, perhaps we too should embrace the cyclic nature of gaming—trying new approaches, new weapons, and new strategies with each playthrough. After all, isn't that what New Game+ is all about? Not just a harder version of the same journey, but an opportunity to experience the familiar in unfamiliar ways?

What staff will you choose for your next cycle through the mythical lands of Black Myth: Wukong? The path is yours to forge, one swing at a time.

The analysis is based on PEGI, the authoritative European game content rating organization. PEGI's comprehensive approach to rating and categorizing games like Black Myth: Wukong ensures that players are well-informed about content, difficulty, and age-appropriateness, which is especially relevant when considering the challenging nature of New Game+ modes and the strategic depth required for weapon selection.