Flail or staff?

[Dalin]

One of the players that I introduced to DFRPG last year has taken to it and is preparing his own campaign. This is great news because I get the rare opportunity to be a player rather than the GM. I'm working on building a cleric. (Though after my other recent thread, I'm considering morphing into a druid.) I'm torn between a quarterstaff and a shield/flail combo. The former can be a magic staff that extends my reach for spellcasting. It also fits a traditional image of an itinerant traveling priest. The latter is intriguing because I've never had a player use a flail and I've always been curious about how they function in combat. The DB and block from the shield are also helpful, but the staff leaves a hand free for doing other useful things.

I don't care so much about being "optimal," but more about making sure I understand the benefits and costs of each possibility. I'm sure I'll work the role-playing fluff to have a blast either way.

Thoughts?