Shocking staff/tesla rod skill

Apparently a melee master can't use them accurately, but it's never made clear exactly what skill they depend on. Max electrical expertise doesn't help, either. They can't be firearms, can they? Bows?

 

I assumed some sort of aiming ability would be needed, but to associate a rod that shoots lightning bolts with a 'Firearm' is a stretch I never would've made.

Hm. Do electrical attacks have the same problems penetrating high magick targets that guns do?

 

You know... I'ven't ever used it... I really should. Does it truly throw lightning bolts? Can I barbecue guards in thier armor?

 

The Tesla Rod throws something that looks like a pinkish purple ball of static that, since I only had 24% accuracy with, mostly misses targets that it's very much bigger than. I hit once for miserable damage, but it looked like it might be dealing a close range burst, so maybe it can hit multiple targets.

 

I'm pretty sure the shocking staff is melee skill, but the Tesla Rod is most certainly Firearms. I never liked it all that much, to be honest. It isn't that powerful, the range isn't that great, and it hits your allies.