Top 10 Badass Staff Wielding Characters

Equipped with various African fruits, Rafiki’s walking stick is often used for spiritual purposes, such as when young Simba is born and presented to his subjects. However, during the Battle of Pride Rock, this mandrill also demonstrates that his wooden staff can be utilized as an effective weapon, taking down hyenas left and right. In an especially poignant moment, Rafiki uses his staff to teach a grownup Simba a crucial life lesson: the past can hurt, but it’s better to learn from your inner demons than to run from them. Ultimately, Rafiki’s staff acts a symbol that singles him out as one of the wisest and most prominent members of this animal kingdom.

In this rough adaptation of the classic Chinese novel, “Journey to the West,” the Monkey King is depicted as playful, mysterious, and highly gifted in battle. Also known as Sun Wukong, this immortal figure wields a golden staff called Ruyi Jingu Bang. During a duel, the Jade Warlord tricks him into relinquishing his weapon. Turned to stone, the Monkey King manages to send his magical staff far away. Many years later, that same staff falls into the hands of the seeker, who will free Sun Wukong according to a prophecy. Portrayed by Jet Li, the Monkey King is full of strength, agility, and charisma. Being a modern martial arts legend, Li’s a more than worthy warrior to carry a legendary staff.

Although Billy’s Power Lance is pretty rad, the Z-staff made us all want to dress up as Lord Zedd for Halloween. This guy isn’t exactly a subtle villain. You can tell that he’s evil simply based on his appearance. The Z-staff completes Zedd’s dastardly ensemble, letting his followers know who’s in charge. With it, Zedd can conjure up fiendish monsters to do his bidding and even make them grow to great heights. Of course Zedd can also use the staff as a weapon when those pesky Power Rangers get in his way. The Z-staff certainly makes Zedd a formidable foe, although you never want to bet against Tommy and his trusty Saba.

Any self-respecting Jaffa warrior would never been seen without his Ma’Tok staff. Aside from functioning as a melee weapon, the staff can also fire a mighty plasma burst. Being a Jaffa, Teal’c of Chulak is indeed gifted with this intimidating staff and frequently uses it in combat. This member of the SG-1 team faces death with a straight face and his trusty staff weapon by his side. Over the years, Teal’c slowly started to favor earth weapons on missions. While a firearm admittedly might be more practical in the field of action, we’ll always associate Teal’c with his staff.

When a zombie apocalypse transpires, Morgan Jones is someone you’d prefer to have on your side. After his family is killed, this broken man seeks redemption by taking out walkers. His weapon of choice: one badass staff. Following the outbreak, he learned all about the art of Aikido from another survivor named Eastman. Using his bō staff, Morgan not only defends himself against walkers, but against dangerous humans as well, particularly a hostile group known as the Wolves. Morgan prefers not to kill people with his staff, believing that all life is precious. In a dog eat dog world, however, showing compassion can sometimes be your greatest weakness.

Since Jafar is basically a conniving snake in the grass, it’s only fitting that his staff is shaped like a cobra. And when your snake staff possesses the ability to hypnotize, of course you use it to manipulate the over-trusting sultan of Agrabah. As part of a scheme to steal the throne, Jarfar nearly brainwashes the sultan into approving a marriage between him and Princess Jasmine. Fortunately, Aladdin sees right through the deceitful advisor. But upon acquiring the Genie’s lamp, Jafar gives his staff a serious upgrade, now able to control and transfigure everyone and everything around him. Being an all-powerful sorcerer isn’t enough for Jafar, though, which results in his inevitable undoing. Does the staff fit in that itty-bitty living space?

When people think of Gambit, two things come to mind: his deck of playing cards and his bō staff. A former thief who joins the X-Men, this mutant has the power to imbue inanimate objects with kinetic energy. So whenever Gambit charges his staff, the results are bound to be mind-blowing. Even if you took his mutant abilities out of the equation, Gambit would still be able to crack some skulls due to his mastery of Bojutsu, tailor-made for staff wielders. We can’t wait to see Channing Tatum wield a staff in Gambit’s upcoming standalone movie… assuming it ever gets off the ground…

Compared to the Fire Nation’s modern technology, Avatar Aang’s airbender staff might seem like a primitive weapon. Much like Aang himself, though, this staff is more than meets the eye. Specially tailored for Air Nomads, Aang’s staff can unfold into a glider. This not only allows him to fly through the sky, but also perform various airbending techniques and control air currents. Made by monks, this instrument might be ancient, but still packs a powerful blow. Furthermore, the staff acts as a link to Air Nomad culture, which Aang is determined to preserve. When his original staff is destroyed, part of Aang almost seems broken as well. At least new one has a storage compartment for snacks!

Although he has a way with all things scientific, Donatello can make do with a simple bō staff. When going up against advanced alien technology, a staff might not seem like the best combat weapon, something even Donnie admits. He eventually learns, however, that a wooden stick can be surprisingly practical in the right hands. Of course, more recently, he has modified his weapon by adding a blade, turning it into a Naginata. Whether using his staff or his brains to get out of a jam, Donatello is a force to be reckoned with. Plus, Donnie’s elongated staff easily makes him the best character to play in the NES game.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Master Oogway
“Kung Fu Panda” franchise (2008-)

- Rey
“Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015)

- Gabrielle
“Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001)

- Maleficent
“Sleeping Beauty” (1959) / “Maleficent” (2014)

- Zula
“Conan the Destroyer” (1984)

Gandalf’s wizard staff is so much more than an old man’s walking stick: it’s a symbol of his wisdom, power, and all-encompassing presence. When confronted by the dreaded Balrog, with a sword in one hand and his staff in the other, Gandalf protects the Fellowship, making the ultimate sacrifice in the process. Returning as Gandalf the White, he acquires a new staff and demonstrates several new abilities, most notably when he frees King Théoden from Saruman’s possession. While Radagast the Brown also deserves a special shout out, nobody wields a staff quite like Gandalf. Even when confronted by the most fearsome enemy, nothing gets past this wizard.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite staff wielding character? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.