TOPIC: Weapon equipping for set bonus?

If a weapon isn't in hand, but part of my build, does it count for set bonus?

Let's say I have Staff of the Ancients added to a Wizard, but Wizard is currently using a staff of focus, do I still get the +1 Level or say any set bonus (like using the 2026 Dawn set)

Set bonuses always apply if the item is equipped on the character card. Say you are a fighter and equip lucky shied in your ranged off hand slot. You still get the set bonus regardless of which weapon set you actually use, which would typically be melee.

Mystic Staff of the ancients is a ranged weapon so it would work the same way. Just like your focus stays the same even if you are attacking with the ranged Mystic staff.

+2 Staff of Focus is melee, while the Mystic Staff of the Ancients is ranged, so you're good to go. My Elf Wiz equips the +2 Staff of Power and the Mystic Staff and gets the +1 Level.

To clarify, weapons that are a part of a set cannot be replaced mid-run. Swapping between melee and ranged weapons is fine, but changing to a different weapon of the same type is not allowed.

To use your example:
- swapping between the +2 Staff of Focus and the Mystic Staff of the Ancients is allowed, because the Staff of Focus is melee and the Mystic Staff is ranged
- swapping the +2 Staff of Focus out for the +2 Staff of Power is allowed, because the Staff of Focus is not part of a set
- swapping the Mystic Staff of the Ancients out for a +2 Stunning Light Crossbow is NOT allowed, because the Mystic Staff is part of a set.