Before we go on, I'd like to clarify a few things:
- Staff implements (artifacts or not) are always both weapon and implement, and some classes can use any blade as implement, so these "weapon implements" are quite common.
- Items commonly says you can make a ranged basic attack. You can use any that you have, and will use that attack's normal to hit and damage unless otherwise specified.
- Implement ranged basic attack power exists, and almost always has fixed damage dice, such as Magic Missile, Eldritch Blast, Dragonfrost, Sun Strike etc. You do not use weapons's damage dice when you cast them. You implement may have a weapon damage dice, but there is no such thing as an implement damage dice.
Now that it is clear, I will focus on official item powers, and I see a few that are similiar.
- Allow the wielder to use any ranged basic attack with this implement/weapon, and rides on that attack, calculating that attacks' attack roll bonus and damage bonus as normal for that attack power. I believe the first power you referred want to means this. Example: Bloodiron Rod / Thunderbolt Weapon
Power ✦ Daily (Immediate Reaction)
Use this power when you take damage. Make a ranged basic attack that uses this implement against the source of the damage. If the attack hits, [additional effect]."
**Power (Lightning) ✦ Daily (Free Action)**
Use this power after you make a ranged attack with this weapon. Whether the attack hits or misses, make a ranged basic attack with this weapon against a second target [...]. All of the damage from this secondary attack is lightning damage.
- An attack with implement keyword, that is never a ranged basic attack, but allows using the implement's bonus. I believe the second power you referred to means this, except for being rba. Example: Blue Orb of Dragonkind
Power (Charm, Implement) ✦ Daily (Standard Action)
Ranged 10; Intelligence vs. Will; the target is [effect]. Miss: [effect].
- An attack without implement keyword (on an implement), sometimes with a fixes bonus, sometimes with none, that is again never a ranged basic attack. Example: Seal of the Lawbringer
Power (Cold) ✦ Encounter (Minor Action)
Close blast 3; Constitution + 5 vs. Reflex; 2d6 + Constitution modifier cold damage, and the target is [effect]
- A power that allows you to cast a specific attack power, such as a ranged basic attack power. Example: Master's Wand of Magic Missile / Tome of Shadow
Power ✦ Encounter (Standard Action)
As the wizard's magic missile power.
**Power ✦ At-Will (Standard Action)**
You can use ray of enfeeblement (wizard 1).
- Have a complete power written in the item. Although the item powers are quite varied, I still haven't found any that is itself a basic attack. Example: The Shadowstaff / Arms of War
➶ Attack Power (Implement, Necrotic) ✦ Encounter (Standard Action)
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature in range); Intelligence or Charisma vs. Fortitude.
Hit: 3d8 + Intelligence or Charisma modifier necrotic damage necrotic damage, and [effect].
Miss: Half damage.
You gain the ally's opportunity power, described below.
**Ally's Opportunity**
[flavour text]
**Daily**
**Free Action ✦ Close burst 5**
**Trigger**: [trigger]
**Target**: [target]
**Effect**: The target makes a ranged basic attack against the target of your opportunity attack as a free action.
These are the most common types. Apparently, either you make your own basic attack and the item power modify it, or the item provides an attack power that is not basic attack.
