Newbie here with a questionFollow

There are two types of bonuses that may be on your staff.

the first type is actually a +skill bonus, such as +4 matter.

This just allows you to cast any spell as if you were a few levels higher. For most things, this will just affect your damage variance (will allow you to hit for a bit more and avoid the low hits in your range). It does not affect resists or anything like that. It also does not allow you to cast higher level spells (so if you are specced 34+8 Matter, you can still only cast up to level 34 spells (spec, not necessarily baseline)..you just cast them as if you are a level 42 specced person.

The second bonus that can be on your staff is a focus bonus. Focus bonus is a bit complicated in figuring out what it does, but basically, it allows you the chance to cast using a bit less power (up to 20% less). Focus bonus depends on many things, but focus level, staff condition and quality, level of spell and some other things are all applied in formula. The only thing these do is allow you to cast at a bit reduced power cost.

Thanks! That clears that up.