Martial Arts vs Staff of Doom

[Marathon]

I picked up RFS the other night and gave him the Staff of Doom - I like the thought of a staff wielding monk, especially a high powered staff like SOD. However, I'm wondering if I'm missing out on too much by giving up the martial arts + criticals. From memory, his staff skill only started at 8, but he was hitting most of the time. I'm hoping if he used the staff exclusively the skill level would rise quickly. His martial arts and critical skills were much higher but dual weapons were about as low as his staff skill. I'd be missing out on any ranged combat capability, but that's not a big deal in my mind. I would get a front liner with extended reach instead, and be able to invest points in only staff, stealth and close combat only. Any thoughts on if this is a good or bad idea?

[ferro287]

Obviously depends on the rest of your lineup. RFS could use the zbo as well, so that someone else could get a grip on Doom. RFS MA-skill is definitely awesome, but stamina was an issue for me often. That's better with a staff, but a non-cursed one for some rounds of MA would be even better (-> zbo again).

[Marathon]

Line-up is as follows:

Human Lord - Fang / DE
Felpur Sam - Bloodlust / E. Washishaki (sp?)
Mook Bard - mostly bow (Demonsbane - didn't want to pay for Bela's awesome bow) & music, going to switch to a fighter at 18 and use the giant sword
Faerie Bishop - spells only
+ Vi using polearms.

[Psycho]

Looks like you have enough melee power... and already 2 chars (lord + sam) with short range...
You have no other char for the Zbo, so staff is a good choice...
Martial Arts would be OK in a small party, drains lots of stamina, but knocks out opps. (MA does NOT require dual weapons)
Staff gives you extended range and at maxed stats 3x3 attacks...
In your party I would go for staffs...

+ with your bishop you can have RFS switch to MA anytime