Very nice staff. Kinkobo has way higher base dmg and delay, along with accuracy+10, but this has TP Bonus, which, if it works like Martial weapons, makes this a nice alternative to the multi-million gil (at least on my server) Martial Staff. The additional effect seems rather nice too, if you can put Carby out or one of your PT members does. I'd probably actually use this over Kinkobo as a WHM if I was planning on using Spirit Taker more than Retribution (the TP Bonus affects Spirit Taker BIG TIME). As for Retribution, I'd have to do some tests to see whether this could out-perform Kinkobo.
Personally I like it, been doing the avatar battles with my friends for the past few days and I'm almost at it. Its not the GREATEST thing out there, but for those Summoners who dont like to melee and just send the avatar to fight this is not the best weapon to wield, but for those who like to rumble along side ur avatar then its an awsome weapon for a mage. My opinion neways ^^
I read on another forum that the latent is triggered when a party member has carby out. Not sure if you can have carby out yourself to activate latent.
You can have a carby out yourself to activate it. My 75SMN has enough -perp equip to keep carby free (0 perp cost) without Light/Apollo Staff, and the additional damage does upwards of 70+ on EP and lower. Since the add. damage is hate-free, it's a great way to do a lot of damage while gaining back MP with TP Bonus Spirit Taker.