Previously, SE has announced/hinted at efforts to reduce the number of staffs mages need to carry. Currently, we have witnessed the opposite. Since not all classes can access these staffs, some individuals have to maintain (Not necessarily carry) eight elemental staffs in addition to completed magian staffs. I've personally completed 8 Magian+2 staffs, so that that amounts to 16 inventory slots taken.
Given the current status, it looks as if there are a few options available:
1. Combine by effect: This method would entail synergizing, or through some other method, combining damages with similar stats. Note that this would probably mean branching them into different names.
Pros:
* The end result would consolidate staffs into 8 Elemental staffs, 1 Damage Staff, 1 Summoning Staff, and 1 Magic Accuracy staff.
* People only wanting outlying staffs can sacrifice effort for inventory; for example, if you only one Magic Accuracy staff, there is no need to complete the other staffs unless the final combination improves the Magic Accuracy further
Cons:
* People have begun efforts towards completing a variety of staffs, which means duplicating efforts if one wishes to save inventory after pursuing staffs from different categories; for example, since I did Earth Magic Accuracy and Cure staff, I would need to repeat those trials if seeking a single damage staff
* If further enhancement come with the final staff, it demands that players invest more time even if they just want the magic accuracy staff for one element
* Further combinations into a single staff (Avatar + Damage + Accuracy) requires people to obtain staffs outside their prospective interest or capability (EX: If you don't have SMN, well then...)
2. Combine by name: Given that the final product of Avatar, Damage, and Accuracy staffs currently retain the same name, it is possible to continue this path and have them combine at one
Pros:
* No need to branch into different names
* Allows people to obtain staffs in the manner most relevant to them (Avatar for SMNs, Damage for nukers, and so forth)
Cons:
* Race to the bottom: People will choose the easiest method, which undermines the struggle it takes to obtain one
3. Combine by availability (Jungle method): Allows for the combination of staffs past a particular juncture in the system of trials. This would essentially allow you to combine whatever you want, but only grant effects already present on staffs combined.
Pros:
* Easiest method since there are no stringent requirements
Cons:
* Would probably require one more individuating branch since it's difficult for existing combination techniques (Such as synergy) to pick out the augments on particular weapons
* Would effectively "end" the staff trials unless SE makes a different staff for each possible combination
Integration into a single staff: Whichever method you pick, aside from Jungle, you still have the
Other concerns
* Allow for the synergy of existing elemental staffs to save inventory, but remain inferior to Magian Staffs at any given point past Teiwaz