Clotho's Distaff

A Clotho's Distaff is an Ankh-class Artifact weapon found in Golden Sun: The Lost Age and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn.

Basic Description by Game
In all its appearances, Clotho's Distaff increases attack by 168 points. It has the unique ability to restore 1000 HP to one ally, however, it has a chance of breaking if it is used in battle. It can be sold for 12900 coins and subsequently re-bought for 17200 coins. If it is broken, Clotho's Distaff can only be sold for 8600 coins. If broken, it can be repaired for 4300 coins.

In The Lost Age, Clotho's Distaff, like all ankhs, was classified as a staff-class weapon, with the only distinction being its in-battle appearance. It is the third strongest Staff, by Attack bonus, available, after Atropos' Rod and Lachesis' Rule. Clotho's Distaff is acquired as a rare drop from a Minos Warrior in Mars Lighthouse, and can be equipped by Ivan, Mia, Jenna, and Sheba. Unusually for an Artifact weapon, it has no Unleash; presumably its ability to heal an ally is meant to compensate.

In Dark Dawn, Staffs and Ankhs were split into two separate classes. As an Anhk-class weapon, it can be equipped by Rief and Himi, and is the strongest Ankh in the game. Only one Clotho's Distaff is available, located in a chest in the Lost Ship. Due to the revisions to the Unleash System, Clotho's Distaff gains three Unleashes: Berserk Rush, Life Leech, and Psynergy Leech. Berserk Rush is a non-elemental Physical attack that multiplies damage by 1.6. Life Leech is a physical attack that converts all damage to Mercury damage and attacks with an additional 29 points. Life Leech also has a chance to restore HP by an amount equivalent to the damage dealt. Psy Leech is a physical attack that converts all damage to Mercury damage and attacks with an additional 22 points. Psy Leech also has the ability to restore PP by an amount equivalent to 10% of the damage dealt.

Analysis
While the staff does not have a special Unleash in The Lost Age, it had a Use effect that emulates the Pure Ply Psynergy to heal an ally or oneself for around 1,000 Hit Points both in and out of battle. The extra 1,000 Hit Points are an incredible advantage in a close-pitched battle, making it a great ace-in-the-hole. However, despite its usefulness and high Attack rating, many players may regard it as inferior to other weapons due to the lack of an Unleash. Clotho's Distaffs are often given to Sheba, Ivan, and Garet because it does not need to be equipped to activate it's effect. If broken, it can be repaired for 4300 coins or sold for 8600 coins.

In Dark Dawn, Clotho's Distaff is given a major improvement in the form of three Unleashes. Berserk Rush is a fairly solid attack. While Life Leech and Psynergy Leech are weaker than many of the Unleashes available, their restorative abilities make them both useful. Due to the Mercury-based nature of Psynergy Leech and Life Leech, Rief can do well with this weapon. Attack wise, it is the highest bonus he can get before the final battle, unless the player receives Atropos' Rod as a rare drop.

If the player prefers to use other weapons, it is still worthwhile to keep the rod on hand, due to its use effect. It can come in handy during the final battle, as it can allow the player to heal their party in between the two halves of the final boss without wasting PP or items, since it can only break in-battle.

RNG Method (Golden Sun: The Lost Age)
In The Lost Age, Clotho's Distaff can only be received as a rare drop from a Minos Warrior. While the player can increase the chance that they receive Clotho's Distaff by defeating the Minos Warrior with an offensive Jupiter Djinn, this still does not guarantee that Clotho's Distaff will be dropped. However, the player can use certain methods to manipulate the Random Number Generator to ensure that the weapon is dropped. One such method is carried out as follows:

Members: Felix, Jenna, Sheba & Ivan. All big arrows pointing to the Minos Warrior.

1st Round 2nd Round
 * Felix casts Quake
 * Jenna casts Aura
 * Sheba casts Ray
 * Ivan casts Ray
 * Felix attacks other monster
 * Jenna copies
 * Sheba unleashes Whorl
 * Ivan casts Ray

Cultural references
In Greek mythology, Clotho is one of the three Fates, sisters who maintain and shape the flow of each person's future in the form of a great tapestry. Clotho's role is to spin the threads of life with her distaff, bringing beings into existence.

Each of the Fates has a weapon named after it, all introduced in The Lost Age: Clotho's Distaff, Lachesis' Rule, and Atropos' Rod.

Trivia

 * Clotho's Distaff is the first, and currently only, weapon that has both an Unleash and a usable effect.