Rod ( weapon type ) Rods are a recurring group of weapons from the " Final Fantasy " series . Black Mages tend to use rods , while White Mage s will in most cases use staves instead . The most recurring rods are the ones with elemental affinity ( Ice Rod , Flame Rod or Thunder Rod ) , the Stardust Rod , and the Magus Rod , which tend to be identified as the ultimate of this weapon type . Rods usually increase the users Magic and MP when equipped . Depending on the game , one may attack with the rod either by striking the enemy directly , or by magically unleashing a burst of energy . Profile . Akin to their sibling counterpart , the staff , rods also function as magic amplifying weapons designed for magic users . Usually featuring a thinner shaft and tipped with large elaborate ornaments , they also vary in size in contrast with staves throughout many games in the series , those variations bearing more similarity to traditional wands in RPG fare . Likewise , they are aligned a majority of the time with offensive and destructive magic classes like the Black Mage . Appearances . " Final Fantasy " . The Earth Rod appears not an equippable weapon , but rather a key item . " Final Fantasy III " . Rods can be equipped by every Magic - based job , but the White Mage can only equip some . Lilith Rod can only be equipped by Black Mages , while Millennium Rod can only be equipped by Magus . List of rods : " Final Fantasy IV " . Rods can be equipped by Palom , Tellah , Rydia , and Fusoya . Rydia is equipped with a rod when she first joins the party . In the 3D versions , if Golbez is hacked into the party , he ' ll be able to equip these weapons . List of rods : " Final Fantasy IV - Interlude - " . Rods can be equipped by Palom and Rydia . List of rods : List of rods : " Final Fantasy V " . Rods can be equipped by Freelancers , Black Mages , Summoners , Time Mages , Blue Mages , Red Mages , Necromancers , and Mimes . Any job can use rods with the Time Mage ' s Equip Rods ability . Several rods boost the power of certain elements . Rods deal damage based on the attacker ' s Magic stat and the defender ' s Resistance / Magic Defense stat . All rods deal full damage from the back row . List of rods : " Final Fantasy VI " . Rods can be equipped by Relm , Strago , and Gogo . Only Strago can equip the Stardust Rod . List of rods : " Before Crisis - Final Fantasy VII - " . List of rods : " Final Fantasy IX " . Dagger can wield rods . Notably , rods are associated with white magic and staves are instead associated with black magic . List of rods : " Final Fantasy X " . Yuna uses a mixture of staves and rods and is the only party member who wields them . " Final Fantasy X - 2 " . Some of the rods previously used by Yuna are used by the White Mage and Black Mage dressphere s . While in the White Mage dressphere , Yuna uses her default Staff , Rikku uses the Spiked Rod , and Paine uses the Malleable Staff . While in the Black Mage dressphere , Yuna uses Nirvana , Rikku uses the El Dorado and Paine uses the Enchanted Rod . " Final Fantasy XI " . Rods and wands are a type of club weapon , usable by mages . Wands appear to be small paddles made out of wood , and provide bonuses to Magic stats . Rods appeared to be shaped like an ankh and were made out of metal or bones , and provided HP bonuses . Neither deal much melee damage . " Final Fantasy XII " . Rods can be equipped by every party member , as long as they have acquired the right license . Rods are well - suited to magick - geared characters since they increase the magick power and MP of the character they ' re equipped to . A few rods grant beneficial status effects on hit . In case the player does decide to physically attack an enemy with a rod , damage is calculated based on the character ' s strength , the weapon ' s attack , and the enemy ' s defense . All rods add 6 to evasion and can knockback enemies . Rods never deal hit combos or critical hits and are among the slower weapons with 2 . 72s charge and 1 . 2s action time . The damage formula for rods is : Due to the weight put on user ' s Strength stat recommended rod users are Vaan , Balthier , and Basch . In the " International Zodiac Job System " , only the White Mage can equip the weapon . List of rods : " " . Kytes can equip rods . His basic attack is based on the weapon ' s element . List of rods : " Final Fantasy XIII " . Vanille uses rods as her weapons of choice . They function differently to previous rods in the series , in that they have extending wires that latch on and pull at the enemy . List of rods : " Final Fantasy Tactics " . Rods can be equipped by Black Mages , Mystics , and Summoners . They boost elemental damage . List of rods : " Final Fantasy Tactics Advance " . Rods can be equipped by the Time Mage , Black Mage , and Illusionist jobs . They cost cheaper at the towns of Cyril , Cadoan , and Baguba Port . Rods can be equipped by the Black Mage , Time Mage , Illusionist , Arcanist , and Dancer jobs . There are only a few rods that appear and are weapons for Yukes . List of rods : List of rods : " Bravely Default " . List of rods : " Final Fantasy Dimensions " . Rods are a class of weapon . List of rods : " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Rods are a weapon type and can be equipped by Firion , Onion Knight , Bartz , Terra , Shantotto , The Emperor , Cloud of Darkness , Golbez , Exdeath , Kefka , Ultimecia , and Kuja . List of rods : " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Rods return as a weapon type and can now be equipped by Yuna and Vaan in addition to their previous users . List of rods : " Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade " . Rods are a classification of weapon . When the Black Mage job wields rods , the weapon ' s Attack and Defense stats increase . " Final Fantasy All the Bravest " . Rods can be equipped by the Black Mage , Magus , Time Mage , Summoner , Aerith , and Shantotto .