Thanks for clarifying that it isn't an oversight but intended game design.
That kinda sucks.
Gotta consider if discovering more POIs, crafting fishing rods, crafting blank books, stamina free walking, 30% more chest loot, 10 more inventory slots, Multitool, Adamantine smelting and phasewalker cape are worth the 19 attribute points. Seems overall like a considerable combat downgrade invested into a major QoL upgrade.
The staves are useful for casters and maybe some dex builds but not for strength builds.