And yet, the staff itself doesn’t add an insane amount of chance to poison (100% - 250%), it’s higher than you can get ignites (Eye of Reen, 100%-200%, Torch of the Pontifex 130%-170%) and bleeds (Taste of Blood 50%-75% + 12%-20%, though bleeds could probably do with a significant buff), and Eye of Reen/Torch of the Pontifex add other benefits buffing the damage a fair bit.
As I have been saying for some time, the problem with poison/Plague Bearer’s staff is a problem with the exponential nature of the “increased damage taken per stack” of poison, not the staff (and I’ve got the graphs to prove it, plus a suggestion to reduce the high end damage of poison).
Edit: And if you’re thinking of support from items, ignite as a lot more - Calamity, Maehlin’s Hubris, Firey Dragon Shoes, Eye of Reen/Torch of the Pontifex, Alchemist’s Ladle (snigger), Ignivar’s Head, Soulfire/Tome of Elements & Invoker’s Scorching Grasp… A Paladin (lots of bleed converted to ignite) can get around 1,100% chance to ignite. Per hit (Shield Throw hits twice with it’s AoE node).
Poison, however, only gets Vipertail, Alchemist’s Ladle, Draalsting & Plague Bearer’s Staff.
But everyone goes nuts about poison because of the increased damage per stack (& being able to use pets to get a lot more stacks).