(AD&D) Starting cool loot at 10th level

[Premier]

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Wizard: "Dude, it's a Staff of Power - we have to have it!"
Fighter: "It is literally surrounded by Rust Monsters. You want it, you get it!"
Wizard: "Oh come on, how bad could it be?"
Cleric: "The thief said the same thing before trying to tightrope over that Sphere of Annihilation to get that Ring of Invisibility."
DM:

Of course, in 1E the wizard would just give all his metallic items to the Fighter for safekeeping, then walk in and simply TAKE the staff. Then, if he's feeling cruel, he can spend the next hour beating the poor creatures to death with his fists. After all, Rust Monsters don't do any HP damage, and don't damage anything non-metallic.