There really isn't much for casters early on. My starting staff for my sorcerer (Astrologer class) carried me through a huge chunk of the game. I held off using major upgrade materials on it. Saved those for when I inevitably found better gear but I did upgrade the starter staff and honestly it scales pretty well even against late-game staves
https://i.imgur.com/ZwO4qO2.gifv
"you just schlorp it down and use it one handed" - captpackrat