Fireman's Pole

A Fireman's Pole is a Staff-class Artifact weapon found in Golden Sun: The Lost Age.

Basic Description
A Fireman's Pole increases the wielder's attack by 130 points. They can be sold for 6150 coins and subsequently re-bought for 8200 coins. Like most usable items, they have a chance of breaking if used in battle. If broken, it costs 2050 coins to repair. If sold in a broken state, the player can only receive 4100 coins.

They are acquired as a prize from Lemuria's Lucky Medal Fountain. Visually, the Fireman's Pole resembles an oddly squarish and textured object unlike any other staff. The Fireman's Pole, as a Staff-class item, can be wielded by Ivan, Mia, Jenna, and Sheba. Unlike most weapon Artifacts, it does not have an Unleash effect. Rather, it has a Use effect where it can be used like an item anytime in battle to emulate the Resist Psynergy and raise all ally's Resistances by 20 (the maximum value an Adept's resistance rating can be improved in battle is 80).

Analysis
The lack of an Unleash effect causes most players to see the Fireman's Pole as worthless compared to other weapons found in and after Lemuria. However, it does not have to be equipped to make use of its Use Effect, it merely needs to be in an Adept's inventory. If the the Adept in question does not currently have access to the Resist Psynergy, it can be extremely useful. It is one of only three pieces of equipment that can be Used to raise Resistance in battle; the other two are the Golden Ring and the Aura Gloves (which duplicates the Ward Psynergy and raises one Adept's resistances by 40).

Cultural references
A matoi was a flag used in Edo period Japan by firemen to notify people of a fire near or within a building.