Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / MagicWand

Go To

1%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1366841116046071800
2%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.
3%%
4%% The examples section has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct place. Thanks!
5%%
6%%
7[[quoteright:320:[[Film/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/magicwand01_2054.png]]]]
8[[caption-width-right:320:"Expecto Patronum!"]]
9
10-> ''"Wands only look like they're too fragile to be deadly."''
11-->-- ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFourthEdition'': ''Adventurer's Vault 2'' on Wands
12
13The Magic Wand, the magician's all-purpose [[WeaponSpecialization weapon of choice]].
14
15The Magic Wand is a unique weapon in that unlike swords, bows or guns, this weapon is generally not for use in physical combat, but is instead a purely magical weapon. In general, a Magic Wand is any device that enhances magic for producing spells, or aid in combat, or--less frequently--enables the use of magic in the first place. Circe used a Magic Wand to convert Odysseus's men to swine, thus making this one OlderThanFeudalism.
16
17When The Magic Wand is big or strong enough to be capable of both magic and melee combat a la MartialArtsStaff or CarryABigStick, the resulting hybrid-weapon is a MagicStaff. In-between, you sometimes find the Magic ''Rod'', which is typically shorter than the staff but longer than the wand, roughly two to three feet in length.
18
19If the wand in question appears on a fortune-telling card, it's TarotMotifs--likely either the Magician or the Ace of Wands. Sometimes in Anime and Manga, a staff's powers will be tied to an ''[[ZigzagPaperTassel onusa]]'' for use by {{Miko}} or UsefulNotes/{{onmyo|do}}ji. These also tend to be more associated with [[OurFairiesAreDifferent fairies]], especially {{Fairy Godmother}}s, than wizards.
20
21Basic types of wands include:
22* StageMagician type. Black cylindrical rod with white tips on each end.
23* FairyTale type. Shiny stick with a five-pointed star at the end, usually with glitter and/or a glow.
24* Wizard type. Tapered, pointy rod, often adorned with crystals and/or ornate designs.
25
26Not to be confused with MagicTool, which is a mundane implement that [[ClarkesThirdLaw appears magically competent]].
27
28----
29!!Examples:
30
31[[foldercontrol]]
32
33[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
34* In ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'', Tomo gives Chiyo a "magic wand" for her birthday, telling her that she can use it to become tall like Sakaki. Chiyo responds that she's too old to believe in that kind of thing.
35* Some mages in ''Manga/BlackClover'', like Vanessa and Noelle, use wands to help focus their magic power.
36* In ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'', Sakura has a pink wand with a bird's beak and wings at the top. [[spoiler: It changes into a star enclosed in a ring, with smaller wings, after Sakura passes the Final Judgment, becomes the new master of the Clow Cards, and starts remaking the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards.]] Syaoran's Magic Wand is his {{BFS}}.
37* In ''Literature/TheFamiliarOfZero'', wands are necessary for humans to cast elemental magic, and they can be substituted with staves. Races that utilise nature magic[[note]]Known variously as the "power of the spirits" or "ancient magic", depending on the describer.[[/note]] such as elves and dragons however have no need for wands.
38* The wands of ''Manga/FateKaleidLinerPrismaIllya'' are the same ones from ''VisualNovel/FateHollowAtaraxia'', including behaviour. While Ruby contracts Illya with a combination of sweet talk, brute force and lies into becoming a MagicalGirl, Sapphire is a tad more open towards Miyu. Both wands can also accept "Class Cards" to empower their respective user in different ways and generally shoot magic blasts.
39* In the ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' Brigade-movie "The Adventures of Mikuru Asahina", Yuki wears one as part of her costume. It's called the "[[InconsistentSpelling Starring/Sterling/Starling/Stirring/WTF?]] Inferno"!
40* In ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'', England has a wand that he can use to turn the other characters into children.
41* ''Franchise/LittleWitchAcademia'' has more modernized wands, with a folding/extension ability, [[WaveMotionTuningFork a forked tip to discharge the magical energy]], and a [[ManaMeter magical battery indicator]]. Most wands in the series look identical, meaning they're clearly school-issued, but other wand models are seen, for instance, in Lotte's parents' magic tool shop. The Cavendishes also traditionally use another type of wand, one that appears to be made of wood, with a length of ivory snaking around it. Then there's the Shiny Rod, which is in a class on its own, and seems more to be a hybrid of this and MagicStaff.
42* ''Manga/MagiLabyrinthOfMagic'': Wands are used to focus [[LifeEnergy Magoi]] and magic attacks. They are essential to a magician's ability to control magic properly. A wand can still perform magic even when damaged but the spell will be unstable.
43* The Devices of ''[[Franchise/LyricalNanoha Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' are the {{Magitek}} version, especially the "Storage" Devices. All other forms of Device are also {{Empathic Weapon}}s and {{Swiss Army Weapon}}s, but their primary purpose tends to be running calculations for [[InstantRunes magic circles]] (magic in ''Nanoha'' is based on highly complex mathematics and the devices help streamline the process).
44* ''Manga/MagilumiereCoLtd'': Magical Girls in the world of ''Magilumiere'' wield magic through wands. However, they can take the shape of any object to fit with the magical girl's costume. (For example, it can be a sword, or a pen.)
45* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' has staves, rods, and standard wands as being necessary for casting most forms of magic. The MagicKnight characters who opt to fight in close combat instead use wands in the shape of rings worn on their finger, so as to leave both of their hands free in a fight.
46* ''Anime/OjamajoDoremi'': The witch apprentices all get wands (or rather, Poron, musical instruments) to use spells that change every season.
47* Every MagicalGirl in ''Anime/OkusamaWaMahouShoujo'' has one they can materialize at will.
48* In ''Anime/RuneSoldierLouie'' the titular character breaks his wand after killing a bunch of demons with it - [[ImprobableWeaponUser by bashing them with it]], [[IdiotHero despite the fact that he is capable of magic and other than that his wand is little more than a rather short stick.]]
49* ''Anime/SailorMoon'''s weapons are all wands -Except for the very first one which is her tiara that throws like a disc/boomerang- they are all [[RequisiteRoyalRegalia royal sceptres]] that change which each subsequent power up. The wands are: The Moon Stick, shaped as a crescent moon, inherited from Queen Serenity. The Cutie Moon Rod which was created by the love between her and Mamoru (Got it from her mother in the anime). The Spiral Heart Moon Rod, received from Neo Queen Serenity (Created between she and Tuxedo Mask in the anime), the Kaleidomoon Scope that was a gift of Pegasus and finally the Eternal Tier, created by [[AllYourPowersCombined the combined forces of all of the Solar System's Sailor Senshi]] [=ChibiMoon=] have wands too, first she has the Pink Moon Stick and then her next weapons mimics those of Sailor Moon.
50* The {{Trope Codifier}}s in anime and manga are Sally from ''Manga/SallyTheWitch'' (who is seen using one [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKXTatBS6a8 in the OP of the 1966 series]] [[SubvertedTrope but not in the series itself]], and later gains a genuine one in the 1989 remake) and Chappy from ''Anime/MahouTsukaiChappy'' (who ''does'' use hers regularly).
51* Princess Silver uses one of these in ''Anime/YumeNoCrayonOukoku'' to solve the problems of the townspeople.
52[[/folder]]
53
54[[folder:Asian Animation]]
55* In ''Animation/HappyHeroes'', Huo Haha uses a [[ImprobableWeaponUser toilet plunger]] as a magic wand, casting all kinds of magic spells with it (shooting {{fireballs}}, transforming himself into others, teleporting him, Big M., and Little M. elsewhere, etc.). He also flies around on it in a manner not unlike a FlyingBroomstick in a couple of episodes.
56* Miss Earth from ''Animation/PleasantGoatFunClass: The Earth Carnival'' is sometimes seen holding a wand with a globe shape floating at the top end of it. She uses it to conjure up objects, and in episode 4 of that season, she also uses it to send her and the other characters back in time.
57[[/folder]]
58
59[[folder:Comic Books]]
60* ''ComicBook/BodieTroll'': Miz Bijou uses one in the form of a spatula, though apparently this is a source of contention among her kind.
61* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
62** In ''ComicBook/CaptainCarrotAndHisAmazingZooCrew'', the mystically-powered Alley-Kat-Abra uses a wand which she calls [[PunnyName "Magic Wanda"]].
63** DC/Fawcett Comics features a magician superhero named Ibis the Invincible, who was gifted a magic wand, the Ibistick, by Thoth the Egyptian god of wisdom. He could do almost anything with it, and while it could be stolen from him and be used by others it could never be used to harm him. In 2007, when the wand was passed on to a new bearer, Danny Khalifa, it was upgraded into a MagicStaff by Thoth.
64** ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: The faerie Queen Moonbeam uses a magic wand to compel people to obey her, help out her friends and paralyze opponents with magic.
65* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
66** Usually ''ComicBook/DoctorStrange'' doesn't need these, but he does have a few wand-like mystic artifacts, including the Wand of Watoomb.
67* ''ComicBook/Shazam'' features a supporting character, an Egyptian magician named Ibis the Invincible, who wields a wand called the Ibistick. Entrusted to him by Thoth the ibis-headed Egyptian god, it had the ability to do anything its master wanted, and whenever it got stolen by villains it was ineffective in harming Ibis.
68[[/folder]]
69
70[[folder:Fan Works]]
71* ''Fanfic/DungeonKeeperAmi'': Wands function rather like magical firearms, storing several copies of a prepared spell that can then be used by someone who isn't a magician.
72* In ''Fanfic/{{Marionettes}}'', these exist, with a pony named Magic Star having been the greatest wandsmith to ever live. At one point, she worked with Starswirl the Bearded and Mage Meadowbrook to custom make wands for the two of them, which are said to be among the strongest to ever exist. [[spoiler:The Marionettes, robot ponies made by [[BigBad the Stallions in Black for their goals]], have magic wands in their horns, and Trixie's was the one Magic Star and Meadowbrook made.]]
73* ''Fanfic/OversaturatedWorld'': ''Group Precipitation'': [[https://www.fimfiction.net/story/323071/126/group-precipitation/taking-a-strange-turn-by-jenna-cipher "Taking A Strange Turn"]]: Pinkie Pie decribes a very small magical time machine as "like a magic wand":
74--->Pinkie chose now to give her own input. "Ooooh! I know! Maybe Doctor Turner is some kind wibbly-wobby timey-wimey aspected person, and the blue hourglass he always carries around is like a magic wand, ONLY A TIME MACHINE!"
75* In ''Fanfic/QueenOfAllOni'', Jade creates a set of magic fans that she uses in battle, doubles as a MythologyGag to the ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' opening sequence, where Jade is seen with two fans.
76[[/folder]]
77
78[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
79* In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAndTheSecretDoor'', both the heroine, Alexa, and the BigBad, Malucia, have magic wands. Malucia uses her wand to drain others' magic.
80* In the Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon, the FairyGodmother from ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'' and the Good Fairies from ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' have magic wands. Oddly, various Disney media portrays Tinkerbell with a wand, although she did not have one in the actual ''WesternAnimation/PeterPan'' film. These wands appear to be the source of their power, as the Good Fairies were unable to use magic of any kind without the wands. In ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIIATwistInTime'', it's revealed that anyone can use the Fairy Godmother's wand provided they say the magic words. Both of the stepsisters, the WickedStepmother, and Jaq and Gus all use it, while Cinderella is stopped before she can.
81* In ''WesternAnimation/RocketSavesTheDay'', the Pest uses a magic wand to change letters to something else, thus changing the things associated with them. If there is an existing sign, it simply changes the letters. If there isn't one, then it conjures them first.
82* In ''WesternAnimation/Shrek2'', the Fairy Godmother has a wand that she uses to cast magic. Too bad her magic can be reflected by shiny metal armor.
83[[/folder]]
84
85[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
86* ''Film/{{Bright}}'': The plot revolves around the pursuit of a magic wand, which grants the user incredible magical abilities as long as it doesn't kill him first.
87* The dragon controlling scepters in ''Film/DungeonsAndDragons2000''.
88* ''Film/{{Godmothered}}'': Eleanor has one. She uses it to open a portal, to create fireworks, to create a chain of paper snowflakes, and [[spoiler:to transform a watermelon into a carriage]].
89* ''Film/HarryPotter'': Throughout the film series, wizards use magic wands to perform their spells. Although the actual magic comes from the wizard, only the most talented can cast spells without the aid of a wand.
90* ''Film/OurFriendPower5'': Yesular's father gives her a wand to help her deal with The Shark Gang. She uses it for teleportation, whipping up disguises, and powering the giant robot.
91* Cherlindrea's wand in ''Film/{{Willow}}''.
92* Glinda the Good Witch from ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' has a very long one.
93[[/folder]]
94
95[[folder:Literature]]
96* ''Literature/AkataWitch'': Juju knives attune to the user's spirit, can't be replaced unless the original knife is destroyed, and are essential to perform the {{Magical Gesture}}s for many kinds of juju. They vary hugely in appearance and composition, and it's unclear where -- or if -- they're made.
97* In the ''Literature/AntAndBee'' book ''More Ant and Bee'', Ant and Bee wish to visit a very hot place, and a fairy grants their wish. However, the fairy forgets to use her wand, and the wish works the other way round, sending them to a very cold place. Ant and Bee then wish for woolly vests.
98* ''Literature/TheBlackWitchChronicles'': Wands turn up all over the place.
99** The Gardnerian Mages can't do magic without specially-made wooden wands. [[spoiler:This is because, contrary to what their leaders claim, they're actually descended from Dryads. Dryads themselves don't need wands, being able to do magic with just plain old sticks.]]
100** The two most powerful wands in the world are the EmpathicWeapon White Wand and EvilWeapon Shadow Wand.
101** Practitioners of rune magic often use wands to write their symbols.
102* ''Literature/BreakfastOfChampions'': "Patty Keene actually imagined Dwayne's waving a magic wand at her troubles and dreams." This is followed by Vonnegut's drawing of what the wand would look like.
103* Non-wand variant: In ''Return To Brookmere'', a vintage Literature/ChooseYourOwnAdventure book, the Mouth of Mimulus is a magical amulet with the power to cast spells ''for'' its wearer. Combined with CompanionCube, as Mim can speak and has a personality all its own.
104* Creator/CSLewis' ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'': In ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'', the White Witch's most feared power is her wand, which can [[TakenForGranite turn people to stone]]. Edmund saves the day by going for the wand instead of herself, which everyone before him had been fool enough to do.
105* In Creator/RobertEHoward's Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/RedNails" Tolkemec finds a magic wand that kills at a touch.
106** In "Literature/BlackColossus", Thugra Khotan's ebon staff can turn into a snake.
107* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
108** Wizards and witches can both use wands. Wizards can also use staves. However, for wizards they tend to have their wands by them at all times, and find them essential for magic. Witches, on the other hand, will make use of a stick they find on the ground for their wand. The rest is just tinsel.
109** ... "[[BawdySong A wizard's staff has a knob on the end...]]"
110** Fairy Godmother wands are something else entirely. Instead of being a conduit for the caster, they are powerful in themselves. They're orders of magnitude more powerful and reliable than any other magic in the setting, bypass several of the laws of magic (which even Sourcerers who can curb-stomp the gods have to obey), and are irreplaceable relics from so long ago nobody knows who made them. [[spoiler: They also have simple and intuitive controls, but that they ''are'' controls is easily missed.]] "[[Literature/WitchesAbroad PSPSPS It has tendincy to resett to pumpkins but you will gett the hange of it in noe time.]]"
111** Ajandurah's Wand of Utter Negativity makes an appearance in the first book. It's possibly even more powerful than a fairy godmother wand, but much less versitile. Its only purpose is to make the thing or person it's pointed at [[DeaderThanDead stop existing]].
112* Princess Florinara Tansimasa Qasilava Delagordune in ''Literature/DragonInDistress'' uses as her weapon of choice a magic wand.
113* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
114** In the Dresdenverse, wands and [[MagicStaff staves]], are magic foci. Harry Dresden has both a staff and a "blasting rod", which is a hand-carved stick the size of a small baton, enchanted to focus his fire magic, while the staff is more general use for his air and force spells. The blasting rod also has the advantage of being more concealable. Foci help a wizard's mental construct of a spell -- while he or she can cast the same spells with or without foci, they're much harder to form and control. For instance, Harry's blasting rod helps him focus his fire into coherent beams to hit specific targets and limit collateral damage, while without it, he has a tendency to set buildings on fire.
115** In [[TabletopGame/TheDresdenFiles the tabletop game]], both staff and rod are defined as focus items that make "spirit" and fire magic respectively easier for Harry to control and thus safer to handle, especially at full power. His trademark "Fuego!" spell is also defined as a rote (automatically castable at fixed strength, no roll required) evocation specifically tied to his blasting rod — without it, he thus doesn't just lose the rod's control bonus but also one of his few ''reliable'' combat tricks and has to take his chances casting off-the-cuff fire spells just like any other wizard with rather more power than control.
116** ''Literature/{{Changes}}'' has [[spoiler:Molly]] using a pair of wands with ivory tips.
117* ''Literature/DungeonEngineer'': The first mage seen in the story uses one, and it's used to cast electricity magic:
118--> In his hand is a dark grey wand cast from a metal I can’t identify.
119* In ''[[Literature/AdventuresOfDunno Dunno in Sun City]]'', Dunno learns from a friend that if he does three good deeds in a row, a wizard will appear and give him a magic wand. But those good deeds must be done without expectation of a reward. Dunno spends some time trying to help out the other Mites, but he keeps messing up and doing bad deeds before he gets to three, resetting the count. When he finally manages to get three done, he's disappointed that no wizard appears. The friend explains that it doesn't count if he did all that expecting the wand. He finally gives up. A day or two later, he unintentionally does three good deeds in a row (lets a dog off its leash on a hot day, keeps the dog from attacking an old man, and then inquires if the old man is all right) and learns that the old man is a wizard. He finally gets his wand but is warned that he'll lose it if he does three bad deeds with it. The wand lets him do and get whatever he wants, including manifesting a car out of thin air and turning people into donkeys and vice versa. As expected, he quickly forgets the wizard's warning and lets his temper drive him to do three bad deeds. At the end of the story, the wizard undoes all the bad deeds and takes his wand.
120* A somewhat surreal version in ''Literature/AFantasyAttraction'': A spork that [[spoiler:transforms people into baby animals.]]
121* Magic wands are SchmuckBait in the Verse of Creator/SimonRGreen, as they're created solely by TheFairFolk who despise humanity for driving them from the world. Any human stupid enough to try to wield one is liable to fall prey to whatever BoobyTrap or curse the elves have rigged it with, so human characters in the ''Literature/{{Nightside}}'' or ''Literature/SecretHistories'' series typically prefer aboriginal pointing bones if they want to blast someone by poking a stick at them. Only Larry Oblivion uses a wand regularly, and he only gets away with doing so because he's dead.
122* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'':
123** All but the most powerful wizards need wands to cast any kind of spell. The only magic they seem to be able to do without a wand is teleportation, and ''maybe'' potions, though WordOfGod puts some doubt into the latter, as a muggle can't make a potion and you do more than stir at some point. Magic without a wand is "unfocused", but definitely possible. Most underage magic is done without a wand, and even though [[spoiler:Ariana Dumbledore]] was never given one, her magic remained dangerous. The Animagus transformation also does not require a wand -- Sirius was able to do it to lessen the effect of the Dementors in [=PoA=]. This makes sense, because otherwise an Animagus without opposable digits wouldn't be able to hold their wand to change back to human form. However, becoming an Animagus in the first place requires a wand, not only to brew a potion (which as mentioned seems to require a wand) but also to cast a spell on your own heart.
124** Harry holds three wands in one hand at one point, casting a triple Stunning Spell. Sadly, this is the only application of MoreDakka to magic.
125** Wands are normally LoyalPhlebotinum, but they will switch their allegiances if their owners are defeated by another wizard/witch in a struggle. Draco Malfoy [[spoiler:loses his own wand and his claim to the Elder Wand]] to Harry after the latter physically wrests it away from him. Hermione, by contrast, can't make Bellatrix's wand work as well for her because she never directly proved she was stronger. "The wand chooses the wizard", and all wands wish to be wielded by the most capable ones possible.
126** The [[AllThereInTheManual companion site]], Pottermore, contains a lot of [[WordOfGod supplementary information]] on wandlore. There are three elements that determine the nature of a wand: its length, wood (elm, rose, etc), and core (unicorn hair, phoenix tail feather, etc), each affecting the wand in its own way (wands made of walnut wood seek out intelligent wielders, dragon heartstring cores make powerful wands but are relatively unpredictable and easy to turn to TheDarkArts, and so on). The combination influences the wand's strength with different kinds of magic and its compatibility with personality traits. The site also shows that wandwork is required for potionmaking, though this might be GameplayAndStorySegregation for the potion minigame. You can obtain one of your own by doing Pottermore's "Wand Ceremony" quiz too (not physically, obviously, but you can learn which wand would choose you and even get a cool illustration of it as well as transfer it to ''VideoGame/HogwartsLegacy'').
127** Obscurials (young witches or wizards that suppress their magic to dangerous extremes) can turn into big dark clouds of destruction without wands.
128** Also, African wizards who attend Uagadou, the wizarding school in Uganda, don't actually use wands, since they're a European invention. They use hands for the same purpose. This kinda contradicts the whole "only the most powerful wizards can do wandless magic" bit.
129* ''Literature/TheHobbit'': Gandalf himself is shown using a wand several times in the book, using it mostly as a torch but also in more magical ways. He is described as pulling the wand from his robes, so it isn't just another word for his staff. His name even translates to modern English as Wand-Elf.
130* ''Literature/JohannesCabal'': Magic wands are conduits for [[EntropyAndChaosMagic chaos magic]], an affront to the titular {{Necromancer}}'s exactingly logical mind. In "A Long Spoon", he has to resort to one, to ''highly'' variable effect. The necromancer Miss Smith shows better wand mastery in ''Literature/TheFallOfTheHouseOfCabal'', slinging deadly energy {{projectile|Spell}}s with ease.
131* In R.S. Belcher's ''King of the Road'', the corrupt Mike "Cherokee" Locklear is just a mundane biker who's contesting Hector "Heck" Sinclair for leadership of their MC. Heck has superhuman abilities from having some inhuman ancestry and he's got the enchanted Fey claymore ''Braithreachas''. To help Mike out, the evil sorcerer biker Viper gives Mike the artifact metal wand "The Key of Thorne". The Key of Thorne is supposedly NighInvulnerable and it's the physical symbol of a contract between many of the supernatural beings on Earth and the devils of Hell. Viper teaches Mike the proper incantations and gestures to invoke the Key. This allows Mike to call on entities like the Moth Men to fight on his behalf. The Key turns out to be NighInvulnerable to mundane harm and it does withstand quite a few hits from Heck's claymore, but after enough slashes by ''Braithreachas'' the Key snaps. This breaks the contract, so the monsters turn on Mike and rip him to bits.
132* ''Literature/LordDarcy'': Every thaumaturgical procedure practiced by Sean O Lochlainn or his fellow-Sorcerers makes use of a wand, with specific magical tasks requiring different ones. This, plus all the other equipment their spells require, is why magic-users in that Verse need to carry a carpetbag full of stuff.
133* In ''Literature/Magic20'', any wizard who lives in Medieval England needs either a wand or a [[MagicStaff staff]] to be able to cast spells. The vast majority prefer staffs, but a few use wands. A wand has to be a foot and a half long in order to be recognized by the shell. Among the primary and secondary characters, only Jeff uses a wand, and that's only because he's a big fan of ''Literature/HarryPotter''. Notably, neither staffs nor wands are magical in the least. They are only used to allow the wizard to be recognized by the shell and for pointing at objects. During flight, they also act as control sticks. It's revealed halfway through the first novel that [[spoiler:Gwen is far from being a simple seamstress. She's a witch, and her measuring stick is designed to break into two equal 1.5 ft. pieces to allow her to cast spells]].
134* ''Literature/MoongobbleAndMe'': Moongobble owns one, and uses it for most of his spells.
135* Two wizards which appear in the ''Literature/MrMen'' books ''Mr. Mean'' and ''Mr. Mischief'' have wands, depicted as the black type with white ends.
136--> Mr. Mischief reached forwards and seized the sleeping wizard's wand. But he didn't know that wizards' wands don't like to be seized.
137* ''Literature/OldKingdom'': Spells are cast by combining "Charter marks", but the more powerful marks, especially master marks, can be dangerous to handle, so they tend to be imprinted into tools to make the process easier and safer. The procedure for binding a Stilken, for example, requires either an enchanted sword or a rowan wand, "charged with the first circle of seven marks for binding the elements," unless you're "a great adept". [[spoiler:The Clayr don't have much access to rowan, living in a glacier, so Lirael goes looking for a sword instead.]]
138* In L. Jagi Lamplighter's ''Literature/ProsperosDaughter'' trilogy, Prospero made all his children magical staffs.
139* ''Literature/RetiredWitchesMysteries'': Wands are one of the traditional focusing tools for air witches in this series. Brian Fuller owns one, made of willow, which he's had since he was ten; book 3 reveals his father also has one.
140* ''Literature/SchooledInMagic'': Wands are used to store spells which have been prepared ahead of time, and are thus the sign of a weak sorcerer who can't cast things on the fly, or {{muggle}}s.
141* ''Literature/SplitHeirs'': Hydrangean wizards use wands sometimes at least to do magic.
142* ''Literature/{{Sunshine}}'': Rae's trusty pocket knife has become so [[SympatheticMagic attuned to her]] over the years that it's a natural conduit for her magic. She can easily transform it into different shapes and it acts as an extension of her touch, allowing her to [[spoiler:magically protect the vampire Constantine from sunlight while he's carrying it.]]
143* Fairy Godmothers in ''Literature/TalesOfTheFiveHundredKingdoms'' (those who are merely human and not True Fae) use wands to help focus and contain magic. As a Godmother's apprentice, Elena once uses one with a big gold star at the top, just so people will know it's a wand.
144* ''Literature/VillainsByNecessity'': Mizzamir uses a wand which casts freezing spells as he's pursuing Sam within his castle.
145* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': Not very common, though they do show up.
146** UltimateBlacksmith Eldritch makes several training wands from [[FantasyMetals Adamant, Mithril, and Bloodsteel]]. She makes a point of giving three of the to the Three Little Witches, in repayment for one of them rescuing her from a Fools' Circle. Professor Grimes was not amused.
147** The Necromancer provides a wand to non-wizard Sneaky Pete, for the purpose of ambushing and bewitching SmugSuper The Lamplighter. Pete refuses to think of it as a 'magic wand', as he feels that it made him look silly.
148** While passing through an MCO checkpoint at an airport, the MCO agents inexplicably confiscate several of Fey's pens and pencils. After some thought, Generator realizes that they assumed that they disguised wands, which earns them a good laugh. Nikki and Jade decide to make some ostentatious fake wands so that the MCO agents have something to take from Nikki next time.
149* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'':
150** In the first book, Moiraine has a long white wand that she uses to focus her powers. It's a ''sa'angreal'', a high-order AmplifierArtifact, and is used later by a group of Aes Sedai to Heal Mat Cauthon and much later by Egwene Al'Vere to repel a Seanchan raid on the White Tower. It becomes her [[WeaponSpecialization weapon of choice]] during the Last Battle, too.
151** Another wand is the Oath Rod, something called a "binder" that was originally used to [[RestrainingBolt bind criminal channellers]] but now used by the Aes Sedai to make their oaths. Then there's a black rod that creates [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique balefire]] and was stolen by a group of [[SecretCircleOfSecrets Black Ajah]]. Because balefire is so dangerous and the rod so hard to control, it would only be used by someone very foolish or very desperate; as such, it gets used just about every time that group appears in the series. [[AllThereInTheManual Supplementary materials]] also make mention of the Rod of the Waves, which can summon fish, and the Ebon Rod, which creates illusions.
152** In the last book, [[spoiler:Demandred]] wields ''Sakarnen'', a ''sa'angreal'' [[spoiler: even stronger than Rand's ''Callandor'']] at the Last Battle; it resembles a scepter with a cut-shaped ornament at the top. [[spoiler:Near the end of the battle he gives it to Mazrim Taim, who uses it in a duel against Egwene, who is wielding the aforementioned white wand]].
153* ''Literature/WitchAndWizard'': Wisty has an old drumstick which becomes a magic wand.
154* ''Literature/TheWitchOfKnightcharm'': Witches uses these as tools in the setting. Lauren Taverron, who takes a personal interest in the protagonist Emily, notably uses hers to do everything from blast her opponents unconscious to JediMindTrick [[MundaneUtility a waitress not to card her]].
155* Justified to some extent in the ''[[Literature/AWizardInRhyme Wizard in Rhyme]]'' series by Christopher Stasheff. Wands in that series (and staves, to some extent) serve as magical "antennas", focusing a mage's spells and making them directional. Spells will still work without using a wand, or stave, but the effect is both weaker and far more easily able to be picked up by other wizards/sorcerers. Kinda the difference between using a regular radio versus one with a dish antenna. As spells in this universe are cast through poetry, this can make for some interesting duels. "He's going for the extra point!/Throw his kneecap out of joint!", etc. By a later book in the series, [[FishOutOfTemporalWater Matthew's]] had some time to experiment and found that most objects with a similar shape can do the same. He seldom uses his wand because a dagger can serve the same purpose and is far more practical.
156* Wands are used for combat in the first of the ''Literature/YoungWizards'' novel, [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness and then mostly dropped in the later books]]. However, the ''way'' they're used fits with certain principles that are explained later. Most wizardries can be done using only [[LanguageOfMagic the Speech]] and a wizard's personal energy, but certain materials that vary from spell to spell can make the casting easier or less costly. Hence Nita's wand of choice (a Rowan stick left out under a full moon) is good for wielding weaponized moonlight, while Kit's (a noon-forged steel antenna) can summon jets of molten steel.
157[[/folder]]
158
159[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
160* In the 1979 ITV series ''Series/TheBoyMerlin'', Vortigern's Court Magician Grimbold gives Merlin his wand, which he says was "carved from nutwood on a Wednesday".
161* ''Series/DirkGentlysHolisticDetectiveAgency'': In the second season, the villain acquires a magic wand and goes FromNobodyToNightmare.
162* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
163** In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E7TheWheelInSpace The Wheel In Space]]" the TARDIS's Time Vector Generator (the component that makes it BiggerOnTheInside) superficially resembles a conjurer's wand. It is [[MagicTool put to a number of uses]] throughout the serial, before being returned to the TARDIS at the end.
164** While originally just a sophisticated tool good for picking locks, the Doctor's sonic screwdriver has suffered from feature creep over the years and — especially in the new series — can do more or less anything. It had become such a writer's crutch by Creator/PeterDavison's era that producer Creator/JohnNathanTurner had it destroyed (in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E4TheVisitation The Visitation]]"). It's returned with a vengeance (and more features than ever) in the New Series, especially in Creator/DavidTennant's era.
165-->'''[[spoiler:War]] Doctor:''' The pointing again! What are you going to do, assemble a cabinet at them?
166* The TV adaptation of ''Series/TheDresdenFiles'' has a drumstick standing in for his blasting rod, though he uses a hockey stick for a staff more often. Given that one of the major themes of the series was Harry's attempts to keep a low profile, these substitutions are actually kind of brilliant.
167* In ''The Magic House'', HG Wells the wishing well uses one of these, which resembles a star on a stick.
168* A lot of the villains (mainly the leaders) in ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' have various types of magic wands, especially in the earlier seasons.
169-->'''Rita Repulsa:''' "Magic wand, [[MakeMyMonsterGrow make my monster grooooooooow]]!"
170** Big staffs of awesome were required for ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' villains for ''quite'' some time - some ''Franchise/SuperSentai''-created, some not. Even if not magic-themed, there are more than a few things that the villain can make happen by pointing his or her staff at it. Including blowing things up. More series than not have it.
171** In ''[[Series/PowerRangersMysticForce Mystic Force]]'' the Rangers use cell phones as wands. (Actually, the wands start out as wooden standard ones with the Ranger's personal symbol on its tip. They were turned into phones to match the modern age more.) Each mode for the Rangers has a different, awesomer wand: Ranger mode has the Magi Staff, all shiny and ending in the Mystic Force M logo, with, again, the Ranger's symbol at its tip. They can turn into weapons, too. In [[SuperMode Legend Mode]], we trade those for large staves ending in ''rotary dials.''
172* The Russos and all other wizards from ''Series/WizardsOfWaverlyPlace'' use wands for most of their spells, though "hand magic" is also possible.
173[[/folder]]
174
175[[folder:Music]]
176* In ballads such as ''Allison Gross'' and ''The Laily Worm and the Machrel of the Sea'', witches use silver wands to transform their victims.
177[[/folder]]
178
179[[folder:Mythology]]
180* Druids in Myth/CelticMythology often used wands as part of their ritual tools, and this may be part of their namesake, as "dru" probably comes from a root meaning "oak tree" (though, in Ireland wands of hazel or rowan were preferred). In many stories, wands are used for various purposes, especially to invoke InvoluntaryShapeshifting upon another person.
181[[/folder]]
182
183[[folder:Pinball]]
184* Matra Magna's magic wand (and [[HelpingHands her disembodied hand]]) are prominently featured on the playfield of ''Pinball/PinballMagic'', which is used to conjure balls at the player.
185[[/folder]]
186
187[[folder:Podcasts]]
188* In ''Podcast/{{Sequinox}}'', Winter's weapon is a magical staff with a snowflake head.
189[[/folder]]
190
191[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
192* ''TabletopGame/ArsMagica'' lets a mage select a magic item to attune as a Talisman: it becomes much more receptive to further enchantments, counts as part of the mage for all mystical effects, and boosts some of the mage's spellcasting. One mage's spear Talisman enhances all spells that cause harm at a distance and can open bleeding wounds by pointing it at a victim.
193* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'':
194** Wands are typically {{Limited Use Magical Device}}s that store multiple castings of a single spell, which can be activated with a special command word or by applying other magical training. Depending on the specific wand and edition, a wand whose charges are depleted may lose its magic, turn to dust, or just become dormant for a day while it recharges.
195** [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFourthEdition 4th Edition]] features "implements", class-specific magic items that can boost the user's accuracy and damage with magical attacks and that can grant additional class-specific encounter powers. Examples are holy symbols for clerics and paladins; orbs, staffs and wands for wizards; and rods, wands, and pact blades for warlocks. In a similar vein to pact blades, Paladins can use Holy Avenger weapons as holy symbols, and Wizards of the Spiral Tower can treat longswords as either a staff, wand, or orb.
196** The ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' Player's Guide introduced the Swordmage class, which can use light or heavy blades as implements.
197** [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition 5th Edition]] has two varieties of wand. One is a focus item for arcane spellcasting which substitutes for some spells' usual EyeOfNewt. The other provides passive bonuses or has a small, recharging pool of magical powers that can be tapped by a wielder who attunes themself to the wand.
198* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' features an enchantment spell called Staff, which can be used to turn a staff into a magic device which lets a wizard cast spells through it (so, for instance, touching them with the staff counts as touching the target directly). Since ''GURPS'' magic has very limited range, this is rather useful. Optionally you can add a Powerstone to a wand, or put an (expensive) enchantment on it that allows the wielder to cast a particular spell without training. Specific spells may require wands made of certain materials.
199* In ''TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}}'' wands allow mages to ignore range penalties on spells, and in 2nd edition they're included in standard mage equipment.
200* In the ''TabletopGame/LegendSystem'', the [Arcane] property causes most of a weapon's normal bonuses to apply to the wielder's magical abilities, rather than attacks with the weapon itself. It's assumed, but not required, that such weapons are shaped like a literal wand or staff. The Just Blade track can actually ''summon'' an [Arcane] weapon that grows in power as they do, and [[SpellBlade deliver spells by hitting enemies with it]].
201* Foci from ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'' could be anything that a mage thought was necessary for their magic... but it was all in their head. The sign of a powerful mage is one who became Enlightened enough to realize he didn't need such tools.
202* ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'' has dedicated magical tools, which can be any object the mage feels is magically relevant (though there are some special ones based on things like political faction) ranging from traditional wands and goblets to iPods and laptops. While unnecessary, the relevance the tool has to the mage enhances their soul's connection to the source of magic, and thus decreases the chance of damaging reality through malfunctions. There are also rare "talismans", which possess powers of their own.
203* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'':
204** Most wands in 1st edition work much the same as in D&D 3rd edition (cast one spell using 50 non-replenishable charges). But in 2nd edition wands are instead usable once per day and recharge the next morning, or the caster could overcharge the wand for a second casting, which [[ExplosiveOverclocking breaks]] the wand and has only a 50-50 chance of being repairable.
205** There are also specialty wands that alter the caster's normal spells. A Wand of Continuation extends the duration of a spell while a Wand of Widening expands the affected area. A Wand of Manifold Missiles on the other hand adds additional Magic Missiles to a casting.
206* Foci from ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' are like this. Kind of an odd case because a spell focus can be almost anything, as long as a magician took some time to enchant it.
207[[/folder]]
208
209[[folder:Theatre]]
210* In ''Theatre/{{Comus}}'' by Creator/JohnMilton, the title character's powers work by a magic wand.
211* In ''Theatre/HanselAndGretel1893'', the WickedWitch paralyzes the titular children with the powers of her wand and a rhyming incantation, a variation of which she later uses to remobilize Gretel. Gretel manages to steal the wand for the moment and free Hansel with the latter spell, which is used once again after they kill the witch to fully reanimate the gingerbread children.
212* In ''Theatre/TheTempest'' Prospero uses a wand to work magic. (He also refers to it as a "stick" or [[MagicStaff "staff"]] at various points). Also worth noting: Prospero subverts the usual wizardly tropes by ''destroying'' his staff, voluntarily giving up his powers.
213[[/folder]]
214
215[[folder:Theme Parks]]
216* Universal Studios' ''Wizarding World of Harry Potter'' attractions now feature [[MagicFromTechnology interactive wands]]: gift shop-purchasable replicas of wands from the HP films, with which park-goers can activate "spells" at marked locations within Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. Waving such a wand at shops' window displays, fountains, or other themed features can activate sound, water, and/or animatronic effects, thus simulating magics from the ''Potter'' books and films.
217[[/folder]]
218
219[[folder:Video Games]]
220* ''VideoGame/AdibooMagicalPlayland'': Kicook and Robbytock sometimes use magic wands to help themselves in their tasks.
221* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' has three different types of magic wands for each of its three schools of magic. Sorcery actually uses stereotypical wands, while miracles has religious talismans and pyromancy has a flaming hand.
222* In ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'':
223** Wands, as well as some staves and one very notable sword, can store a limited number of spell charges on them in a manner reminiscent of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. These are often nonreplenishable, and since the wands are useless as melee weapons and any seasoned adventurer has a fairly robust selection of their own spells, wands in this game are good only as items of last resort.
224** Necromancers in ''VideoGame/DiabloII'' use wands that provide bonuses to their spells, and Sorceresses used Staves. However, they're used as clubs in combat. Weak, easily breakable, expensive to repair clubs: but if you need to use it as a club, you're probably doing it wrong, though they often apply impressive elemental damage to their attacks. One particular unique staff, the "Ribcracker", gives no bonuses to skills but instead has several +damage or +attack speed modifiers. It is surprisingly good for SpamAttack builds such as Zealot Paladins or Werewolf Druids.
225** In ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' most weapons are StatSticks anyway, so wands can be about as formidable as anything else, but they're optimized to grant bonuses that are helpful to wizards and thus are the preferred gear for that class.
226* In ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'', humanoid demons can equip staves to increase their magic power, and raising their Staff skill increases their magic's maximum range and area of effect. Monsters can only equip special "monster weapons", so magic-using monsters tend to be significantly less effective. Until ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 3|AbsenceOfJustice}}'', when staffs were nerfed to a fixed, single cell range boost, and book weapons were added for monsters with the same property.
227* ''VideoGame/DisneyPrincessEnchantedJourney'' gives the heroine a magic wand.
228* ''VideoGame/DivinityOriginalSinII'': Like {{Magic Sta|ff}}ves, wands sling [[ElementalPowers elemental]] magic {{projectile|Spell}}s and can double as StatSticks or grant secondary powers. Unlike staves, they can be {{Dual Wield|ing}}ed and their magic used more than once per [[TurnBasedCombat combat turn]], but lack the option to simply whack enemies with them.
229* In the ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' DLC ''Witch Hunt'', there is a scribbled note from an irritated student in a book about magic wands in the Circle Tower's library that reads "What kind of self-respecting mage uses a wand, anyway?", one of several references to the Literature/HarryPotter series. Dragon Age mages use staffs.
230* Euphonia, Berio's Aether Relic in ''VideoGame/DuelSaviorDestiny'', takes the form of a magic staff. While she ''can'' hit people with it, it's clearly very ineffective.
231* Since the 8th installment, [[YamatoNadeshiko Da Qiao]] from ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' [[DualWielding dual wields a pair of pugil sticks]] that function this way by firing [[PinkIsFeminine magical pink balls]] at her foes from a distance as part of her {{Divergent Character Evolution}} to her [[BrattyHalfPint little sister Xiao]] [[CombatHandFan Qiao]].
232* ''VideoGame/EternalFighterZero'': Both [[VisualNovel/{{Kanon}} Sayuri Kurata]] and [[VisualNovel/{{AIR}} Kano Kirishima]] use a magic wand or staff. Sayuri's wand is more of a MagicalGirl type wand, with [[MorphWeapon transforming powers]]. Kano's is modeled after the staffs used in fantasy role-playing games, fitting alongside her various tiers of elemental magic and her unique [[{{Mana}}MP gauge]].
233* More often than not, the various Mage classes in the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games can equip rods and staves.
234** [[BlackMagicianGirl Lulu's]] animated stuffed dolls in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' count.
235** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' has both the staff and club categories. The club category has many examples of Magic Wand and CarryABigStick, while the staff category has both versions of MagicStaff and MartialArtsStaff -- though the MartialArtsStaff versions tend to be overlooked, in part because almost no jobs can use them ''well'' for actually hitting things (and the one job that can does better still with a sword and shield), in part because of the overwhelming fame and power of the magic-boosting [[ElementalRockPaperScissors elemental staves]].
236** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has a number of true wands (for Conjurors/White Mages) and scepters (for Thaumaturges/Black Mages) as well as two-handed MagicStaff options. The staffs have more raw casting power but a fairly unique feature is that the one handed wands can be equipped with light shields for extra defense, useful for lower-level {{Squishy Wizard}}s going solo. These were later phased out of the game in favor of just keeping a MagicStaff.
237** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTacticsA2'' has Rods, Staves and Books for its pure magic users. Amusingly, you can make characters whack enemies over the head with the books.
238** The artwork of the Time Mage and the Green Mage wields a wand.
239* The ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series, bar a handful of exceptions, features [[SpellBook tomes]] as the weapons used by offensive mages, and staves for healing and support spells.
240* In ''VideoGame/GuildWars'', wands give their wielder a simple magical attack and are typically paired with focus items which grant additional [[ManaMeter energy]]. Staves are a two-handed alternative that combine a wand and focus.
241* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic'':
242** Wizards in ''V'' use these. The mage creatures on the other hand use a scroll for similiar purposes. Liches cast their spells from a book.
243** In both II and III the liches use staves. In II and III the Magi also use staves, which kind of fits, as liches are undead wizards. Also, you can buy/find wands and scrolls in most, if not all, ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic'' games. Scrolls can be used once, wands can be used many times, but neither of them needs [[{{Mana}} spell points]].
244* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
245** Being the games' token Mage, it's only natural for Donald Duck to use a magic wand or hammer as his [[WeaponSpecialization weapon of choice]]. His best weapon is both, being a fancy scepter. Also, a number of Sora's Keychains turn his Keyblade into a magic-enhancer, and in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'' his [[LimitBreak Drive Forms]] include the Wisdom Form -- basically a set of clothes that super-enhance his magical abilities. His Master Form also does this, to a lesser extent ([[MasterOfNone but also adds a similar degree of physical power]]). Final Form simply amplifies his magic and physical powers.
246** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'': If you choose to be magic focused, then Roxas will use a struggle bat in the shape of one.
247* ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' has two useful wands. The first is a set of identical wands from the Dungeons Of Doom, which when used allow you to turn an item into a similar one. The other is the [[SignificantAnagram Wand of Nagamar]], which somehow transforms things via anagram. [[spoiler:It's required to beat the FinalBoss.]] Less plot-relevantly, there's the "fishy wand" item, which you're familiar can use to cast Literature/HarryPotter-esque spells.
248* ''VideoGame/KingsQuest'':
249** ''VideoGame/KingsQuestIII'': You need to "borrow" Manannan's magic wand to use magic. Be ''very'' careful to return it before he wakes up from his nap, or it's GameOver for you. However, you only use the wand to prepare spells - you just wave the wand over certain items, say the magic incantation, and afterwards said item is all you need in order to cast the spell.
250** ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVAbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder'' has elderly mage Crispin give Graham a magic wand at the beginning of the game, and principal antagonist Mordack uses a wand (although Mordack is able to cast spells without it, the only one he casts is one to get his wand).
251* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
252** ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': The Magic Wand item shoots a burst of magic. It can be augmented with the [[SpellBook Magic Book]] to produce fire where the spell lands, but this can end up weakening the Wand as enemies immune to fire are now immune to the Wand too.
253** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': The Ice Rod and the Fire produce blasts of their respective elements.
254** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'': The Magic Rod is the treasure of Turtle Rock. It shoots fireballs when used, acting largely the same as the Fire Rod in the previous game.
255** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleOfSeasons'': Link changes seasons by means of swinging the Rod of Seasons.
256** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'': The titular Wind Waker controls the winds (and a few other things) and is meant to be a conductor's baton. The game also has Wizzrobes launching fireballs and summoning new enemies with wands (in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'', they use large staves instead, while in all other games they simply invoke their attack magic with their arms).
257** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': The Dominion Rod controls ancient {{magitek}}, such as statues.
258** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'' features the Sand Wand, which solidifies sand into pillars and stops Quicksand from [[QuickSandSucks sucking]].
259** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'' brings back the Sand Wand (now known as Sand Rod) and the Fire and Ice Rods, and introduces the Tornado Rod. The latter allows Link to launch himself upwards with a powerful gale, allowing him to hop onto moving platforms from above, remove dirt from the floor, and stun enemies. All four rods, like all other items for sale in Ravio's shop, can be later upgraded to increase their power (a bigger radius for the gale, a stronger blaze, more ice blocks at a time, and unlimited stability for the created sand wall respectively).
260** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' brings back the Fire and Ice Rods and introduces the [[ShockAndAwe Lightning]] Rod. In addition, Rods are one handed weapons (so they can be wielded with shields) and can be charged up, firing multiple elemental balls around Link. They aren't very good for melee combat through. There are also upgraded versions of the three rods, the Meteor, Blizzard, and Thunderstorm Rods, each with more firepower and durability and the ability to fire off three balls of energy naturally, which you have to use the throw button to do with the regular ones.
261** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'': The elemental rods are absent; instead, fusing a [[PowerCrystal gemstone]] to any weapon enables it to function the same way the rods do in ''Breath of the Wild'' (rubies grant fire magic, sapphires ice, topazes lightning, and opals water). There are, however, special weapons such as the Magic Rod that are weak in melee but enhance the spells from an attached gemstone to an equivalent of the upgraded rods.
262** ''VideoGame/ZeldaTheWandOfGamelon'': The Wand of Gamelon, a silver rod with a purple ball at the end, is a magical articact with the power to defeat Ganon.
263%%* ''VideoGame/LostMagic'': You get the one of your father -- and may or may not make your own from a magical tree later on.%%Get what? Make what?
264* ''VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue'': Lemina can equip staves that let her cast spells for free as her [[EmergencyWeapon normal attack]].
265* ''VideoGame/MinecraftDungeons'': The Creeping Winter DLC has one, which allows you to hit enemies with a block of ice and stun them.
266* ''Franchise/{{Nasuverse}}'':
267** "Mystic Codes" can either amplify the effects of the mage's spells, or perform a predefined function. These can basically be anything that the mage finds fitting and useful, including weapons of various origins (guns are allowed), clothing and accessories (dresses, gloves, etc.), traditional wands and rods, and even pools of mercury.
268** Caster in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' decides for one bad end that since Shirou is so good at projection, she's going to [[AndIMustScream cut off all his limbs and turn him into a Projection wand.]] [[FateWorseThanDeath But don't worry, she won't kill him.]]
269** The Kaleidosticks in ''[[VisualNovel/FateHollowAtaraxia Fate/hollow ataraxia]]'' are also magic wands... and jerkasses that like to dress up their wielders in strange clothing.
270* ''VideoGame/{{Noita}}'' has wands as the main weapon, and you can carry up to four. Each wand has randomized stats such as spell capacity, maximum mana, and mana recharge rate, and can be loaded with a set of spells that are either cast in order or randomly, as well as spell modifiers that change how the spells behave.
271* Wands in ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'' are the only one-handed ranged weapons in the game. Each swing of a wand releases a projectile made of air, and they intrinsically add bonus spell damage, and they are often paired with a shield to aid in a spellcasters's low defenses. Although they're usually used for spells, they can be built for physical damage, which its weapon-specific skills utilize. You can even dual wield them if you wish. They can also be used to make a true MagicKnight build by using a passive skill that lets spell damage also scale wand physical damage, and the Spellslinger gem, which causes the supported spells to fire whenever you attack with a wand.
272* In the MMORPG ''VideoGame/PerfectWorld'', magic weapons are necessary for the three casting classes to have much effect with their spells.
273* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'':
274** ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'' has Rods, Canes(staves), and Wands available to Forces. Rods are basic, canes have longer reach, and Wands give a bonus to your Magic stats.
275** The wands in ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'' actually have significantly higher physical attack power then the other tech-based weapons (Rods and talises) at the cost of a small amount of tech attack. The Techer class has abilities and skills that encourage the use of the weapon for melee combat and is also the only class capable of using the weapon under normal circumstances. To note, the wands tend to look like bulky maces or even swords to enforce its close combat capability.
276** ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarUniverse'' uses the second variety; Wands are one type of weapon used by the Force and -techer classes to cast [=TECHNICs=], PSU's answer to magic. [=TECHNICs=] must be linked to a Wand, Rod or [=TCSM=] ([=TECHNIC=] Combat Support Machine) before they can be used. These weapons can be equipped only by the only the Force, Guntecher, Wartecher, Fortetecher and Acrotecher classes in the first place.
277* Braixen and Delphox, the evolutions of the Gen VI ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' fire starter, have one they use to perform quite a few attacks.
278* ''VideoGame/PrayerOfTheFaithless'': The Black Wand, "used by mages".
279* Throughout ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonVsAceAttorney'', we're introduced to the Talea Magica, a serpent-entwined rod inlaid with two gemstones. Each gemstone is a different color and represents a different magic spell which can be cast by the witch wielding the rod. [[spoiler:Of course, all magic within this game is elaborately faked, anyway -- the Talea is just a prop that guides the Shades in setting up their illusions.]]
280* ''VideoGame/QuestForGlory'' lets Wizard characters obtain a magic staff in games 3 through 5. In 3 and 4 it's only somewhat useful (no mana consumption while active, but moving at all de-summons it), but it received a major overhaul in 5 (where it has its own regenerating mana supply and can be used until it runs out and needs a recharge, greatly extending the player's mana) and became useful.
281* Staves in ''VideoGame/{{Rappelz}}'' increase the power of one's spells, but are generally fairly mediocre weapons in and of themselves.
282* In the ''VideoGame/RuneFactory'' series, the player can purchase staffs and wands that significantly amplify magic power (particularly offensive spells like Fireball).
283* ''VideoGame/ShadowCaster'': Several wands can be found--and fairly plentifully--scattered throughout the levels. Each functions essentially as a magical "gun", providing ranged attacks limited by a fixed number of "charges". The resulting projectile varies from wand-type to wand-type, and includes such things as fireballs, ice-bolts, lightning-balls, and spinning globes of coloured light.
284* ''VideoGame/ShadowHeartsFromTheNewWorld'': Hilda Valentine is a wannabe MagicalGirl, and thus wields wands to cast and improve her magic strength.
285* ''Franchise/SpyroTheDragon''
286** Zoe and the various fairies seen in the series are seen using wands, usually zapping Spyro to save his progress.
287** In ''VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon'', Bianca [[MagicalGesture freehanded]] her magic. In later games (including the ''VideoGame/SpyroReignitedTrilogy'' remake of ''Year of the Dragon''), she is given a wand to be used as a conduit.
288* In the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' games:
289** Kamek, Kammy, and the rest of Bowser's magikoopas are typical wand-carrying wizards.
290** Mario recovers the stolen magic wands from the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Koopalings]] in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'', who use them in their boss fights against Mario. When they return in ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii'', the Koopalings use wands again.
291** Rosalina, adoptive mother of the universe, uses one in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy''. In her ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' appearance, she uses it both to cast spells and as a magically-augmented bludgeon.
292* ''VideoGame/SystemShock2'' features the psy-amp, which is used to activate all the psychic powers in the game.
293* In ''VideoGame/{{Trials of Guinevere}}'', mages' staves can fire bolts of energy at their foes, in addition to powering their spells.
294* In ''VideoGame/{{Torchlight}}'' wands basically act like magical versions of the guns characters can wield. [[GunsAkimbo Wands Akimbo]] is possible. Staves are just big blunt instruments with added elemental damage used to bash your enemies' brains out of their skulls.
295* In ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' there are LOTS of magical girls that have their own magical wands: [[ThePowerOfLove Marisa Kirisame]] has a tiny octagonal object called Hakkero, and sometimes she wields a real magical wand too, Alice Margatroid has got [[WheresTheKaboom gunpowder-filled living dolls]], Sariel has got a wand, Mima a scepter, Byakuren Hijiri has a [[TasteTheRainbow strange-buddhist-rainbow-shiny-scroll]], Seiga Kaku has a wand/pin that creates holes in the walls.
296* Each character (save for Grim) in ''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'' has a color-coded magic pen that functions like a magic wand and are used in battle. There are also magic staves, though apparently the pens and staves aren't required to use magic. Instead of magic wand, Grim is given a collar accessory due to having paws that would make holding a pen difficult.
297* ''VideoGame/UltimaIV'' has magic wands which, rather than enhancing magic, served as a high-level ranged weapon.
298* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'':
299** Not only are there magical wands and staves, but the Shaman Class is also capable of utilizing a wide variety of magical totems, each with their own power. Wands act as more of a 'sidearm': most fighting is done with actual spells, with wands being used when one's mana is depleted, or to finish off an enemy that is near death.
300** They also tend to provide useful stats for casters, similar to the weapons these classes will usually carry while casting (mostly Staves, Swords, Daggers and Maces, neither of which get much use as an actual weapon).
301** Relic items, which several classes carry instead of ranged weapons. Most of them boost specific spells. Offhand items are also usually designed to boost spellcasting as casters generally can't use a second weapon or any twohanded weapon except Staves (well, there aren't any with caster stats).
302* In the first game of the ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' series, MOMO used one as part of her MagicalGirl gimmick. While it ''could'' be used with melee attacks, it's a bit better off having her shoot beams of energy from them (or just having her stand back unleashing Ether, the game's version of magic). She eventually replaces it with a better weapon - bow and arrow.
303[[/folder]]
304
305[[folder:Web Animation]]
306* Jingle in ''WebAnimation/Holidaze2019'' has a wand made to a look like a candy cane with a star at the end, a tool he uses to magically conjure a Christmas atmosphere wherever he goes.
307* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Glynda's weapon is a leather riding crop which she wears in a holster strapped to the outside of her right boot. Whenever she uses her telekinetic Semblance, she wields the riding crop as a wand, pointing it at the target of her power. Objects she's moving through the air will move in accordance with the direction she moves the riding crop in. That, combined with the strength and flexibility of her telekinesis, gives her the appearance of performing magical acts, such as the time she fought Cinder -- she pointed her wand at the sky which defined the location in which she created a purple circle of glyphs; from that circle, storm clouds appeared and rained down shards of ice which she used her wand and two extended fingers to direct at Cinder's airship like darts.
308[[/folder]]
309
310[[folder:Webcomics]]
311* Flamel from ''Webcomic/ChampionsOfFaraus'' uses a magic wand to cast spells.
312* Mye from ''Webcomic/CharbyTheVampirate'' lost her wand moments before entering the story and her magic is severely limited without it.
313* In ''Webcomic/{{Doodze}}'', [[http://seguemediagroup.com/doodze/?p=807 needed for the counterspell]]
314* Every magician in ''Webcomic/{{Gloomverse}}'' gets one of these, matching the theme of their powers.
315* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', magic wands hold standard preset spells and can be used offensively when dealing with magical threats. The primary limitation of any wand is size; the bigger the wand, the more power it can hold, and therefore the more powerful the spell. A MagicStaff is explicitly just a giant Magic Wand (though they are rarely seen since they're basically magical bazookas), and Tedd is very proud when he is able to miniaturize a wand into a watch that can still hold a useful spell, something no one else has ever managed to do--though it turns out [[MagicPoweredPseudoscience he was accidentally cheating]].
316* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'':
317** There is Rose wielding the Thorns of Oglogoth. She also has another pair of wands, but she doesn't use them since the Thorns are not just magical but ''eldritch'' as well - and as such are obscenely powerful. [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003715 Check]] [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003716 it]] [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=003838 out]]. Then [[DiabolicalMastermind Eridan]] gets one for WhiteMagic [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=004947 here]]. Which might actually have been [[MagicFeather completely fake]], and actually just a [[Literature/HarryPotter Hermione Granger light-up wand]].
318** Calliope uses a [[{{Pun}} dualing]] wand similar in appearance to Eridan's that reportedly actually works...if the WHITE MAGNUM it's paired with is [[DepletedPhlebotinumShells loaded]], that is.
319* In ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', wands are [[LimitedUseMagicalDevice Limited-Use Magical Devices]], so Haley, who isn't a spellcaster herself, [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0970.html buys]] a small arsenal for a personal cache of ready-made magic.
320* [[StylisticSuck Grimm Shado]], a fictional character in ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'', ''[[DualWielding dual wields]]'' wands. He ''[[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill also]]'' has triple "[[WolverineClaws wand claws]]" on each hand, for a total of ''eight'' wands.
321* In ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' the parodies of ''Literature/HarryPotter'' characters use wands. Wizards and witches not based on popular children's books don't seem to, however.
322%%* Witches use them in ''Webcomic/{{Witchy}}''.
323* In ''Webcomic/WizardSchool'', (a Hogwarts parody), the students have Harry Potter-style wands.
324[[/folder]]
325
326[[folder:Web Originals]]
327* [[http://www.springhole.net/writing_roleplaying_randomators/magicwand.htm This random generator]] creates written descriptions of magic wands, similar to those in the Harry Potter series.
328* In ''Literature/ThroughTheMotions'', magic wands are a staple of any witch or wizard's collection, and a requirement for casting spells. Some wands are made of metal rather than wood, and have a {{mana}} indicator on the side to take most of the guesswork out of knowing when it's time to recharge.
329* "Foci" in ''Literature/VoidDomain'' collect a mage's [[{{Mana}} latent power]] for use in magic and are essential for most spells. They can take almost any form: books, bracelets, rings, and traditional wands are used according to preference and convenience. Eva is something of a {{Wrong Context Mag|ic}}e for being able to channel her power without a focus.
330[[/folder]]
331
332[[folder:Western Animation]]
333* In ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'', wands can do anything from shooting rainbows or fireballs to turning feet into birds. Wands are, however, for WIIIIMPS!
334* In ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', fairies have wands. They need them to grant wishes, but sometimes they are capable of performing magic without them. A very frequent plot element is that Cosmo and Wanda get separated from their wands, preventing them from undoing one of Timmy's harmful wishes.
335* [[WitchDoctor Uncle Chan]] from ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' uses two different magic "wands" ([[ItMakesSenseInContext both of which are actually]] [[NoodleImplements a dead lizard and a dead blowfish]]), enchanted with [[LifeEnergy magical chi energy]]. They're used both for casting spells and [[KiManipulation firing energy beams in combat]].
336* In the Tooter Turtle segment of ''WesternAnimation/KingLeonardoAndHisShortSubjects'', Mr. Wizard the Lizard uses a wand to send Tooter on his way to fulfill his wish.
337* ''WesternAnimation/LittlestPetShop2012'': Sunil uses a magic wand, and is unable to perform any magic without it.
338* Magnifo from ''WesternAnimation/{{Mixels}}'' wields a pair of them. They're able to shoot out magic bursts, teleport him and the other Wiztastics, and perform standard stage magic as well.
339* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends'':
340** The power of Beezen the evil wizard resides in his magic wand. With hit he can shoot magic blasts and perform powerful sorcery, but without it he's helpless.
341** In "The Quest of the Princess Ponies", the PlotCouponThatDoesSomething is a sextet of powerful magic wands belonging to the titular princesses. The wands are so powerful that they can affect the magic of the world, and the villain recklessly draining them throws that magic into destructive disruption.
342* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': In the episode "[[Recap/TheOwlHouseS1E12AdventuresInTheElements Adventures in the Elements]]", Amity practices spells with a "training wand" that comes precharged with magic, allowing witches to cast spells without having to put any effort in themselves. This helps them get the technique down without the strain of drawing on their own magic. This also allows [[TokenHuman Luz]] to cast using the wand, until she burns out the last of the charge.
343* The main character of ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'' wields a wand that's an heirloom passed down through members of her family. It transforms based on who's currently holding it. It's powered by a [[HamsterWheelPower tiny unicorn running on a treadmill]], [[{{Magitek}} needs a jewel like plug-in on the bottom called a charger]] to remain functional, and can be [[MorphWeapon transformed into weapons to suit the user's needs]]. Its main use is ThePowerOfCreation, potent enough to put the royal family in power, [[NoodleIncident apparently accidentally delete physical laws across the multiverse]], and obviously serve as the MacGuffin for the series BigBad. Most amazingly of all, it's implied by the TricksterMentor for wielders to only skim ''the surface'' of manipulating magical forces. It's possible for Star to "dip down" and achieve a greater depth of magical power.
344* Aquamarine from ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' wields a wand that transforms into a ribbon she wears on her head, befitting her fairy-like appearance. It can be used to suspend targets with HardLight.
345* [[MagiciansAreWizards The Amazing Mumbo]] uses a wand in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003''; notably, when the wand is broken all of his enchantments are reversed and he is transformed back into an ordinary middle-aged human (as Mumbo he has bright blue skin and cartoony proportions even by the show's standards). However, in later episodes he has a new wand, presumably acquired from wherever he got the first one.
346%%* ''WesternAnimation/UglyAmericans'': Leonard the wizard has one.
347* Ancestral Mythix wands in ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub''.
348[[/folder]]
349
350[[folder:Real Life]]
351* Many real life ceremonial magicians use wands or staves in their rituals to help focus and direct their power or simply for ceremonial purposes. Likewise, a ceremonial knife, sometimes known as an athame, is often used for the same purpose.
352* There are a wide variety of trick wands available for budding stage magicians, though the [[DeadHorseTrope stereotype]] of the top-hat-and-tails magician with the white-tipped black wand has disappeared from the professional arena.
353* Batons and rods are still widely used by conductors, parade leaders, and masters of ceremony. You can even study baton twirling if you're on a drill team.
354* A common gag among children's magicians is a break-away wand, which appears solid in the magicians hands, but collapses as soon as it's handed to a child. Sometimes it's the other way around. This gag is usually repeated several times, sometimes as a running gag throughout a show.
355* Wands are not very common among adult magicians today, however they are usually used during Cups and Balls routines. Wands are also used by various "Deconstructionist" magicians such as The Amazing Jonathan and Penn & Teller. Penn & Teller's signature bullet catch trick introduces two .357 Magnum revolves as "two very special magic wands."
356[[/folder]]
357

Top