Decastave vs. BBoD

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Decastave does 1d8 bludgeoning damage + 1 or 2 magic damage.

BBoD does 2d12 magic damage.

So why, by the end of the game, was my sorcerer/rogue doing just as much damage, if not more, with the decastave?

Several reasons:

1. The strength modifier is added to the damage for the decastave, but not for BBoD. So if you have a modest (buffed) strength score of 22, you're guaranteed to hit for 6 damage with decastave, but not for BBoD.

2. Sneak attack damage is added to decastave strikes (wtf?), but not BBoD strikes.

3. Maxing out your staves proficiency adds a flat +2 to damage. The same doesn't happen if you max out your large blades proficiency.

4. If you critical hit with decastave, you get the extra damage. This doesn't apply for BBoD.

5. Power attack affects decastave damage, but not BBoD damage.

So what does this mean?

Minimum bludgeoning damage of decastave = 1
Minimum magic damage of decastave = 1
Additional damage due to staff proficiency = 2
Additional damage due to 22 strength = 6

Which adds up to a minimum of 10 damage. And that's not factoring in sneak attacks. Now compare that to the minimum damage you do with BBoD... 2 damage.

BBoD may be superior in the sense that it can disintegrate, but it isn't necessarily superior in raw damage output. Which is rather funny, considering that decastave is a level 2 spell, whereas BBoD is a level NINE spell.

 

There's something which should be even funnier for you.
Burning hands is a level 1 spell and does far more damage than the level 9 spell wail of the banshee (does 0 damage, just kills enemies now and then, like BBoD).

 

The disintegration happens at +4. I usually cast Black Blade of Disaster against powerful monsters, so the chance of disintegration is very low. But monsters very often have bludgeoning damage resistance, magic DR is very rare. I'd say Decastave needs the added base damage, to overcome this. But as a +1 weapon, it can't be used against many monsters in the later game. And wasting a level 2 spell on a magic weapon is unwise, when you could use the slot for a defensive spell, like Mirror Image.
I didn't know about critical hits not occurring with BBoD, are you sure? I assume you checked Power Attack, so this is also surprising. kmonster is right that many late-game weapons will work better in melee than Decastave. My sorcerer has the +5 paladin sword, which works well with 18STR + buff. My illusionist has a selection of +3 to +5 blades to dual wield, which can confuse, petrify, stun, etc.
But many people already agree that BBoD is a poor level 9 spell, when you can get Mordenkainen's Sword at level 7. BBoD is a specific-use spell. Does MS have the same characteristics as BBoD in this regard? Do you think Decastave also beats MS?
And what about Ryomaru's Harmless Staff? It's also just +1, but has lots of fun and unexpected side-effects.

 

Except that:

- BBoD has a much lower DC than WotB due to the inherent bug in created touch items.

- BBoD requires you to hit the opponent first.

- BBoD doesn't target everyone in the vicinity.

I did mention that: "BBoD may be superior in the sense that it can disintegrate, but it isn't necessarily superior in raw damage output."

Personally, I think that since the disintegrate effect is so infrequent, and the damage output is less than Decastave (or a normal weapon, for that matter), BBoD is terrible level 9 spell.