Do weapons for casters matter?

[Squirting Elephant]

Do they matter? Like why should I take 2 wands or 2 bells if I cast 100% of the time anyway?

[Jigen Daisuke]

I haven't played in a long time but I think some items boost your intelligence or spirit. I don't know if it's in this game as well but you can use your weapons to cast spells if you select them from the item menu (press up to access your equipment)

[Squirting Elephant]

Yes but you dont have to equip the staffs to cast spells, in fact it's better that you don't so that other partymembers can use it as well. And I don't see any proof of extra spirit/intel anywhere.

[Jigen Daisuke]

I'm probably thinking of IV and later games, then. My bad.

[LilG]

Spirit increases the potency of cure spells, Intelligence boosts the power of nukes. Its best to equip them since the ones used as items become less effective later in the game.

[Squirting Elephant]

I equipped a lighting rod for my healer and when she got hit by tundara I noticed that she received 0 damage. So even though some items don't display it, they have hidden stats/immunities that they give to the caster.
My knight (who had no rod) took quiet some damage from tundara.

Edit:
Nevermind, she seems imune to lighting & cold for some reason but it's not because of the rod. Weird.

[LilG]

Its probably either your equipped armour or acessory. But weapons with a element usually boost the potency of the matching spell or give some resistance depending on which FF game it is since it varies.