I'm finally getting back to SoU, and I've encountered something strange... In the Netherese ruins, there's a Spell Orb which produces a "Spellstaff" after you cast 3 protective spells on it. In every walkthrough I've checked on this it says the staff output is capable of casting a combination of the spells you cast on the orb initially. However, no matter what I cast on it, the output is always the same - The Spellstaff I get can cast Gust of Wind and Flame Lash once per day (nothing to do with the spells actually cast on the orb). What's the deal? Did this get changed in the patch or something? Because this staff now is obviously pretty mundane, whereas I could make something much more useful if this worked as it apparently did originally...

The spellstaff casts Gust of Wind and Flame Lash, BUT have also a special ability which when used cast the three spells casted on the orb.

Yea, thanks, I realized that today, when I got to Undrentide. :doh:

Figures I cast a bunch of ****ty level 1 spells on it back then because I didn't think it'd make any difference. :doh: some more.

However, I also can't use that special ability of the staff, and I have no idea what that's all about. Whenever I select it, I get "You cannot use this item." or something similar. And I'm a sorcerer / red dragon disciple, so what the hell?

I don't know. I created mine with a bard and mage armor, protection from evil and stoneskin. I never had any problem using the special ability.
However, since I desinstalled and reinstalled the game (I sold my Gold Edition and bought the Platinium) my spellstaff doesn't work anymore: when I use the special ability it casts three unknow acid spells on me, which HURTS me instead of protecting me.