I personally think that is better than +5% magic accuracy increase from staff

I recommend all mages to start with knuckles than switch to dagger and shield around lv5 and shield; also try to keep the fez gold armor up to level.

Mage's staff normal skills are bad, a slow short range staff swing and a long time charged attack are worthless.

Wind, Earth and Fire mage and hybrid healer build - with no intention to reset.

Disclaimer: I have little experience on healing, this guide not the "best" or "only" builds.

Dagger gives better normal attacks and shield for extra defense, I personally think that is better than +5% magic accuracy increase from staff.

A mage relies mostly (if not always) on their skills.

The true weapon of a mage is their elemental stone; dagger level rarely matters unless you picked up dagger skills.

Mage does less damage than explorer in general, don't hope to out damage an explorer (especially xbow)

All 30 points in between those levels:

Resting type add total of at least 5 points to Mind Square (so 3 more here). Then add wind mastery expert then misc skills: elemental harmony, elemental protection and elemental master

Self Healing type adds 2 points to Undine Heal low, mid, and high. Then go for elemental harmony, elemental protection and elemental master