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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[ | ]

Melee Weapons[ | ]

Weapon Family Weapon Types Speed
(indicated)
Interrupt
(indicated)
Action time
Attack Recovery
Fast one-handed melee weapons Bash, Club, Dagger, Flail, Hatchet, Monk Fist, Rapier, Stiletto Fast 0.35 s (Weak) 0.66 s 1.11 s
Large one-handed melee weapons Battle axe, Mace, Sabre, Spear, Sword, War hammer Average 0.5 s (Average) 1.0 s 1.66 s
Two-handed melee weapons Estoc, Great sword, Pike, Pollaxe, Quarterstaff Slow 0.75 s (Strong)
Morning star 1.0 s (Stronger)

Ranged Weapons[ | ]

Weapon Family Weapon Types Speed
(indicated)
Interrupt
(indicated)
Action time
Attack Recovery Reload
Fast Bows Hunting bow Fast 0.5 s (Average) 1.0 s 1.66 s
Fast Magical implements Scepter, Wand
Large Bows War bows Average 1.5 s 2.5 s
Large Magical implements Rod
Reloading Crossbows Crossbow Slow 0.75 s (Strong) 3.33 s
Arbalest Very Slow 6.0 s
Firearms Blunderbuss 0.05 s (Weakest) 5.0 s
Pistols 0.35 s (Weak)
Arquebus Extremely Slow 6.8 s

Animation durations are rounded up, resulting in additional ~0.1 second delays (up to 0.5 seconds for reload times).

Dual wielding gives a 50% recovery time reduction. All attack speed buffs similarly only modify the recovery time (as opposed to action speed, which modifies everything, and reload speed).

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

Weapons[ | ]

unlimited – bonus while equipped Weapon bonuses only effect attacks made with the equipped weapon.

Weapon type Name Attack Speed modifier Affected attacks
RapierSpelltongue The White March - Part I+15%Stolen for 10 seconds on Hits
EstocBlade of the Endless Paths Pillars of Eternity+20%All
PikeCitzal's Spirit Lance Pillars of Eternity+20%All
SpearDanulya Pillars of Eternity+20%All
ScepterEngwithan Scepter Pillars of Eternity+20%All
PistolForgiveness Pillars of Eternity+20%All
ArbalestHold-Wall Pillars of Eternity+20%All
SwordLast Blade of the White Forge Pillars of Eternity+20%All
QuarterstaffLlawran's Stick Pillars of Eternity+20%All
DaggerMarch Steel Dagger Pillars of Eternity+20%All
RodPretty Pretty's Rib Pillars of Eternity+20%All
HatchetRêghar Konnek Pillars of Eternity+20%All
Battle axeRimecutter Pillars of Eternity+20%All
War hammerStrike Hard Pillars of Eternity+20%All
RapierSword of Daenysis Pillars of Eternity+20%All
War bowThe Rain of Godagh Field Pillars of Eternity+20%All
FlailUnforgiven Pillars of Eternity+20%All
CrossbowWendgär Pillars of Eternity+20%All

Equipment[ | ]

one – bonus while equipped

Slot Item Attack Speed modifier Affected attacks
HandsGauntlets of Swift Action Pillars of Eternity+15%All

Modal or active buffs[ | ]

onewhich 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
Nature's Bounty (item) +20% 20 sec all user
Potion of Power +25% 20 sec all user
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) Arduous 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%
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