[Selfish Gene]

I would be inclined to agree with you Spo, in that Magical Moon and the Spear Tome weapon exist nowadays. The only thing which honestly keeps me from considering those to be viable options are the scalings. Both have 60% Strength and 60% Will scalings, thus making it nigh-mandatory to invest points in strength and will to obtain the full potential and scaling this has to offer. If I wanted to run a build that involved spears and strength, I would instead run an average build involving Duelist and Soldier rather than Lantern Bearer. A prime example of a staff that would benefit greatly from being utilized by Lantern Bearers is the Bamboo-Bo. With the 110% Skill scaling, it makes it so that someone can be a proficient cryomancer and have enough points to invest in other stats for a more versatile Lantern Bearer. If I were to go with the Magical Moon or Tome Spear, I would have to invest into strength and be forced to use Salamander even if it doesn't suit my character. Basically, instead of having to invest points into strength and will, I could run a Bamboo-Bo and invest those points into skill and any other element Lantern Bearer provides (Vitality for Water, Luck for Nature, Defense for Earth, etc.)

I simply think that allowing staves to be an all-around curate skill would be more beneficial in the long run. One extra point worth spending in Priest, a more versatile arsenal for all curate classes, more than likely a higher likelihood of seeing some neat builds involving Imbue Strike and all of the other interesting, yet relatively unused, skills (such as Skyhigh).

Edit: Not to mention that curates already have a skill called "Use Staff". If anything, the effect could be added alongside this since it even states in the description that it allows people to use staves effectively. I'm well aware that it's referring to the battle item, but it could make sense for staves as in the weapons as well. This way curates will still have 19 skills and it can allow for a nice brainstorm for another Priest skill to take its place.