[0.96] A whole lotta awesome

For your first question, I don't see why you wouldn't get the bonuses from the set. Your class should have nothing to do with it, as long as the items are equipped they'll give you the bonus.

For your second question, I believe it's the ability to ignore 30% of the enemy's defense. That is to say, if the monster has 10% defense, then you will deal +3% damage because (10 * 0.30) = 3.

He/She is talking about the fact that BaM factor the Weapon Speed with their attacks and the fact that almost every staff is slow(8). So using a Ele Staff 103-167 that are fast (4) its wayyyy better than having the full 6 set bonus with that slow staff.