Attack Speed

Attack Speed is a measure of how fast a character carries out combat actions. The base value is defined by the type of the attack, but it can be modified by various stats and effects of the attacker. It is separate from Reload Speed, and not to be confused with Move Speed.

(*) Up to date list of attack speed related effects, weapons base speeds, plus mechanics behind the attack system can be found here.

(*) Attack speed calculator (online tool for speed estimation) can be found here.

Base

Weapon Attacks

Weapon Type	Speed
Dagger, Club, Flail, Hatchet, Hunting bow, Monk Fist, Rapier, Scepter, Stiletto, Wand	Fast
Battle axe, Mace, Rod, Sabre, Spear, Sword, War bow, War hammer	Average
Crossbow, Estoc, Great sword, Morning star, Pike, Pollaxe, Quarterstaff	Slow
Arbalest, Blunderbuss, Pistol	Very Slow
Arquebus	Extremely Slow

Each speed is 33% slower attack animation and recovery speed then the proceeding speed. Dual wielding produces the same speed of attack animation and 33% quicker recovery speed (per weapon) then using the same weapon one handed (no dual wield).

Ex:

default attack speed for 1H fast weapon is 20 frame animation, 36 frame recovery (on standard speed, not affected by dexterity bonuses, skill bonuses, or armor effects)

default attack speed for 1H average weapon or 2H weapon is 30 frame animation, 54 frame recovery

default attack speed for 2W fast weapons is 20 frame animation + 24 frame recovery + 20 frame animation + 24 frame recovery

default attack speed for 2W average weapons is 30 frame animation + 36 frame recovery + 30 frame animation + 36 frame recovery

Other Attacks

...

Dexterity

For each point of Dexterity above 10, the speed of all of the character's attacks is increased by 3% (additive, not multiplicative):

Dexterity	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	...
Attack Speed Modifier	+3%	+6%	+9%	+12%	+15%	+18%	+21%	+24%	+27%	+30%	+33%	+36%	+39%	+42%	...

Similarly, for each point of Dexterity below 10 it decreases by the same amount:

Dexterity	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Attack Speed Modifier	-24%	-21%	-18%	-15%	-12%	-9%	-6%	-3%

Buffs

Besides buffing up dexterity, there are various ways to further increase attack speed directly.

A character's attack speed for a given kind of attack can benefit from the following at the same time:

• passive abilities/talents

  – unlimited – permanently active once learned

  Type	Ability	Attack Speed modifier	Affected attacks
  Barbarian ability	Bloodlust	+20%	after downing 2 enemies (for 8 sec)
  Class-neutral ability	Two Weapon Style	+20%	passive ability for dual-wielding

• equipment

  – one – bonus while equipped

  Slot	Item	Attack Speed modifier	Affected attacks
  hands	Gauntlets of Swift Action	+15%	all

• modal or active buffs – one – which includes:

  modal abilities

  – bonus while turned on

  Type	Ability	Attack Speed modifier	Affected attacks	Affected characters
  Ranger ability	Swift Aim	+20%	ranged	user
  Chanter phrase	Sure-Handed Ila Nocked Her Arrows with Speed	+20%	ranged	allies in aura

  active abilities/spells

  – temporary bonus when used

  Type	Ability	Attack Speed modifier	Duration	Affected attacks	Affected characters
  Barbarian ability	Frenzy	+33%	12 sec	all	user
  Monk ability	Swift Strikes	+25%	10 sec	all	user
  Paladin ability	Hastening Exhortation	+20%	30 sec	all	single ally
  Wizard spell (3rd level)	Deleterious Alacrity of Motion	+50%	30 sec	all	user

  consumable items

  – temporary bonus when used

  Item	Attack Speed modifier	Duration	Affected attacks	Affected characters
  Potion of Deleterious Alacrity of Motion	+50%	30 sec	all	user

Debuffs

Spells, powers or active abilities that directly decrease the attack speed of enemies, include:

Type	Ability	Attack Speed Modifier	Duration	Affected Attacks	Affected Characters
Wizard spell (3rd level)	Ardous Delay of Motion	-20%	15 sec	all	foes in AoE

Also, there are many ways for characters to put an affliction on foes, which in turn reduces those enemies' attack speed:

Affliction	Attack Speed Modifier
Charmed	-25%
Dazed	-15%