TOOLS OF THE TERMINATOR: Deathstroke's Power Staff

Deathstroke's Power Staff as a melee
weapon.
Art by Mick Zeck

From Deathstroke the Terminator's very first panel in New Teen Titans (1980) #2, we were introduced to his two signature weapons. One was his sword, the Deathstroke, from which he took his professional name (more on the Deathstroke sword can be found by clicking this link). His other trademark weapon was his multi-purpose/multi-function, Power Staff. 

Deathstroke's telescoping Power Staff was a regular part of the Terminator's arsenal in his earliest years, but it was curiously missing during his sometimes chaotic New 52/DC You continuities. Depending on the era and the writer, the Power Staff is constructed of either the super-metal, Promethium, or, according to current Deathstroke scribe, Christopher Priest, some type of Titanium alloy.

Deathstroke regularly wields the Power Staff much like a traditional bo staff for close-quarters melee combat against a single opponent. In addition, the Power Staff can be disassembled to form two smaller battle staves, similar to the ones used by Nightwing. But when the staff is assembled it is also good for maintaining a manageable combat distance when battling against waves of multiple opponents.

The Battle Staff can also be used for tactical maneuvering. By taking advantage of his superhuman strength and agility, Deathstroke can use his Power Staff to pole vault over tall fences or to quickly scale walls or stairs. However Deathstroke utilizes the Power Staff in up-close combat, it means a horrible headache for someone.

But it is called a Power Staff for a reason. That reason is that in addition to its multitude of melee capabilities, Deathstroke's Power Staff is also capable of firing destructive energy blats from either end. If Deathstroke finds himself outnumbered by triple-digits, the Power Staff can fire bolts of energy in two directions allowing him to take out large numbers of opponents in quick order. As shown in the image below, the Power Staff's energy blasts are powerful enough to take down a military-grade helicopter. Furthermore, the blasts are capable of temporarily holding off the likes of Superman and Green Lanterns. Needless to say, Deathstroke's Power Staff is capable of some major firepower.

Deathstroke's Power Staff as a powerful firearm.
Art by Steve Erwin

Deathstroke has also made efficient use of his Power Staff when battling against various DC Universe speedsters. Speedsters, particularly Wally West, seem to be especially vulnerable to being tripped at high speeds and crashing with devastating results as illustrated in the image below. Deathstroke used his own enhanced reflexes and combat expertise to hurl the Power Staff entangling Kid Flashes legs and taking him out of the picture. Years later, after West had assumed his uncle Barry Allen's identity as the Flash, Deathstroke appeared to be making his escape with West in hot pursuit. As West rocketed around a corner, he was met with Deathstroke's Power Staff against his shins resulting in a severe crash. A new super-hero identity, but the same old Wally.

Deathstroke's Power Staff used to take down Kid Flash, Wally West
Art by George Pérez.

Though we don't see it as much as we used to, Deathstroke's Power Staff is as synonymous with the Terminator as his trademark bifurcated mask. Whether used as a melee weapon or an energy blaster, the Power Staff is capable of doing a major amount of damage no matter who wields it. But in the deadly hands of Deathstroke the Terminator, the Power Staff could reasonably be considered a weapon of mass destruction.