Attack speed

Attack speed is a value closely related to attack duration.

Attack speed depends on the weapon wielded (for players) or on the creature (for pets, minions, spirits or foes), and can be increased (resp. decreased) by certain skills, called IAS (resp. DAS) for Increase (resp. Decrease) Attack Speed.

Much like activation speed and recharge speed, and contrary to the actual definition of speed, if a skill states that a creature "attacks X% faster" (resp. "slower"), it actually means that the attack duration is reduced (resp. increased) by X%.

Actual attack speed

The use of the word "speed" is incorrect, as speed and duration are different physical quantities, though inverse from each other.

As a result of this, IAS (resp. DAS) have a much higher (resp. lower) impact than could be expected.

The table below illustrates this (approximated values) :

	Increased attack speed (IAS)		Decreased attack speed (DAS)
Stated %	25%	33%	30%	50%
Actual %	33%	49%	23%	33%

To determine the impact on dps for an auto attacking character, the actual attack speed must be used, not the stated attack speed. For instance, Frenzy will increase dps by about 49%, while Faintheartedness reduces dps by about 33%.

Attack durations and effect of IAS and DAS

All values are listed as seconds between attacks. These are the exact values used by the game.

		Increased attack speed (IAS)		Decreased attack speed (DAS)
Weapon/creature	Normal attack speed	25%	33%	30%	50%
Axe, Daggers,1 Sword, Racing Beetle	1.33	0.9975	0.8911	1.729	1.995
Scythe, Spear	1.5	1.125	1.005	1.95	2.25
Hammer, Staff, Wand	1.75	1.3125	1.1725	2.275	2.625
Bone Fiend	1.86	1.395	1.2462	2.418	2.79
Attack spirit, Pet2	2	1.5	1.34	2.6	3
Flatbow, Shortbow	2.025	1.51875	1.35675	2.6325	3.0375
Longbow, Recurve Bow	2.475	1.85625	1.65825	3.2175	3.7125
Hornbow	2.7	2.025	1.809	3.51	4.05
Melee minion	3.1	2.325	2.077	4.03	4.65

1. Daggers end up with a faster effective attack speed due to double strikes. See below.
2. All pets except the Racing Beetle.

IAS and DAS are capped at +33% and -50% of the normal attack speed respectively.

Overview of attack speed influences

• Various miscellaneous skills influence attack speed.
  • Many stances improve attack speed; most are balanced by some sort of downside.
  • Some Beast Mastery skills can increase the attack speed of the user, the user's pet, or both.
  • Certain attack skills (such as Mystic Sweep and Jagged Strike) have an activation time and usually activate more quickly than the normal attack speed; these skills can be used to speed up a single attack.
    • These skills are still affected by IAS and DAS.
    • Some of them, notably ranged attacks (such as Ranger interrupts) have an aftercast delay, limiting their ability to increase overall attack rates.
    • Mighty Throw and Unblockable Throw take twice as long to activate as normal attacks.
  • Several hex spells decrease attack speed.
    • Reckless Haste is the only skill that increases attack speed on foes.
• Environmental effects can influence attack speed. For example, the Battle Cry shrine of the Alliance Battles increases attack speed.
• The Blue/Green/Red Rock Candy, Essence of Celerity, and Slice of Pumpkin Pie consumables increase attack speed.
• The Battle Fervor blessing increases attack speed.
• Assassin's dagger auto attacks are effectively faster than those listed in the table above: each point of Dagger Mastery adds 2% to the chance that regular attacks will hit twice and dual attacks always hit twice.

Skills that affect attack speed

On allies

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	"I Will Avenge You!"	Shout. You have +3...6...7 Health regeneration and attack 25% faster (10 seconds for each dead ally).	0	055	0	04545		warriora	StrengthZ	Prophecies
	Aggressive Refrain	Echo. (5...21...25 seconds.) You attack 25% faster. Renewal: whenever a chant or shout ends on you. You have -20 armor.	0	2525	02.002	02020		paragona	LeadershipZ	Nightfall
	Berserker Stance	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 33% faster and gain 50% more adrenaline. Ends if you use a skill.	0	055	0	02020		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
	Bestial Fury	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 25% faster. Your non-attack skills are disabled (5 seconds).	0	1010	0	01010		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Factions
	Burst of Aggression	Stance. (2...8...10 seconds.) You attack 33% faster. End effect: lose all adrenaline.	0	055	0	01212		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
	Call of Haste	Shout. (30 seconds.) Your pet moves and attacks 33% faster.	0	1010	0	02525		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Core
	Critical Agility	Enchantment Spell. (4 seconds plus 1 second for each rank of Critical Strikes.) You attack 33% faster and gain +15...25 armor. Renewal: every time you land a critical hit.	0	055	01.001	03030		assassina	Sunspear rankZ	Nightfall
	Drunken Master	Stance. (72...90 seconds.) You move and attack 10...15% faster if you are not drunk. You move and attack 25...33% faster if you are drunk.	0	055	0	06060		a	Deldrimor rankZ	Eye of the North
	Dwarven Battle Stance	Elite Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 33% faster, you gain +40 armor, and your attack skills interrupt actions. No effect unless you have a hammer equipped.	0	055	0	02020		warriora	StrengthZ	Prophecies
	Expert's Dexterity	Elite Stance. (1...16...20 second[s].) You attack 33% faster and you gain +2 to your Marksmanship attribute.	0	055	0	02020		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Nightfall
	Expert's Dexterity (PvP)	Elite Stance. (1...16...20 second[s].) You attack 15% faster and you gain +1 to your Marksmanship attribute.	0	055	0	02020		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Nightfall
	Feral Aggression	Skill. (5...17...20 seconds.) Your pet attacks 33% faster and deals +3...9...10 damage.	0	1515	0	02020		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Eye of the North
	Flail	Stance. (1...12...15 second[s].) You attack 33% faster. You move 33% slower.	4	0	0	0		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
	Flurry	Stance. (5 seconds). You attack 33% faster. You do 25% less damage.	0	055	0	0055		warriora	Z	Prophecies
	Frenzy	Stance. (8 seconds.) You attack 33% faster. You take double damage.	0	055	0	0044		warriora	Z	Core
	Heart of Fury	Stance. (2...8...10 seconds.) You attack 25% faster.	4	0	0	0		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Heart of Fury (PvP)	Stance. (2...8...10 seconds.) You attack 25% faster.	4	0	0	0066		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Heket's Rampage	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds). You attack 33% faster. Ends if you use an attack skill.	0	055	0	01010		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Nightfall
	Lightning Reflexes	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 33% faster and have 75% chance to block.	0	1010	0	03030		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Core
	Lightning Reflexes (PvP)	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 33% faster and have 75% chance to block.	0	1010	0	04545		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Core
	Never Rampage Alone	Skill. (18...25 seconds.) You and your pet attack 25% faster and have +1...3 Health regeneration.	0	1515	0	02020		rangera	Sunspear rankZ	Nightfall
	Onslaught	Elite Flash Enchantment Spell. (3...13...15 seconds.) You attack, move and gain adrenaline 25% faster.	0	1010	0	01010		dervisha	Wind PrayersZ	Nightfall
	Onslaught (PvP)	Elite Flash Enchantment Spell. (2...7...8 seconds.) You attack and gain adrenaline 25% faster.	0	1010	0	01010		dervisha	Wind PrayersZ	Nightfall
	Pious Fury	Stance. (1...6...7 second[s].)You [sic] attack 25% faster and remove 1 of your Dervish enchantments. Removal effect: this stance lasts twice as long.	0	055	0	01010		dervisha	MysticismZ	Eye of the North
	Pious Fury (PvP)	Stance. (1...4...5 second[s].)You [sic] attack 25% faster and remove 1 of your Dervish enchantments. Removal effect: this stance lasts twice as long.	0	055	0	01515		dervisha	MysticismZ	Eye of the North
	Predatory Bond	Shout. (5...17...20 seconds.) Your pet attacks 25% faster and you gain 1...25...31 Health whenever your pet makes a successful attack.	0	1010	0	03030		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Factions
	Primal Rage	Elite Stance. (1...12...15 second[s].) You attack 33% faster and move 25% faster. You take double damage.	4	0	0	01010		warriora	StrengthZ	Factions
	Rampage as One	Elite Skill. (3...13...15 seconds.) You and your pet attack 33% faster and move 25% faster. No effect unless your pet is alive.	0	2525	0	01010		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Nightfall
	Rapid Fire	Preparation. (5...21...25 seconds.) You attack 33% faster while wielding a bow.	0	055	02.002	01212		rangera	MarksmanshipZ	Eye of the North
	Seven Weapons Stance	Elite Stance. (3...17...20 seconds.) Weapon attributes are increased by +1...12...15. You attack 33% faster. PvE Skill	0	055	0	02020		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
	Signet of Ghostly Might	Elite Signet. (5...17...20 seconds.) All spirits you control within earshot attack 33% faster and deal +5...9...10 damage.	0	0	01.001	01515		ritualista	CommuningZ	Nightfall
	Soldier's Fury	Elite Echo. (10...30...35 seconds.) You attack 33% faster and gain 33% more adrenaline if under the effects of a shout or chant. You have -20 armor.	0	055	01.001	0055		paragona	LeadershipZ	Nightfall
	Soldier's Stance	Elite Stance. (5...13...15 seconds.) You have a 75% chance to block. You attack 33% faster while under the effects of a chant or shout.	0	055	0	01515		warriora	TacticsZ	Nightfall
	Soldier's Stance (PvP)	Elite Stance. (4...9...10 seconds.) You attack 33% faster while under the effects of a shout or chant.	0	055	0	0088		warriora	TacticsZ	Nightfall
	Tiger Stance	Stance. (4...9...10 seconds.) You attack 33% faster. Ends if you fail to hit.	0	055	0	02020		warriora	StrengthZ	Factions
	Tiger's Fury	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 25% faster. Disables your non-attack skills (5 seconds).	0	1010	0	01010		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Prophecies
	Volfen Bloodlust	Shout. (2...7 seconds.) You and nearby allies attack 33% faster.	0	0	0	01010		a	Norn rankZ	Eye of the North
	Way of the Assassin	Elite Stance. (20 seconds.) While wielding daggers, you attack 5...17...20% faster and have +5...29...35% chance to land a critical hit.	0	055	0	01212		assassina	Critical StrikesZ	Nightfall
	Weapon of Aggression	Weapon Spell. (5...13...15 seconds.) You attack 25% faster.	0	1010	00.250.25¼	01010		ritualista	Channeling MagicZ	Eye of the North

On foes

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Crippling Anguish	Elite Hex Spell. (5...17...20 seconds.) Target foe moves and attacks 50% slower and has -1...7...8 Health degeneration.	0	055	01.001	01212		mesmera	Illusion MagicZ	Core
	Faintheartedness	Hex Spell. (3...13...16 seconds.) Target foe attacks 50% slower and has -0...2...3 Health degeneration.	0	1010	01.001	0088		necromancera	CursesZ	Core
	Meekness	Hex Spell. Also hexes foes in the area of target (5...25...30 seconds). These foes attack 50% slower.	}17%	1515	02.002	01515		necromancera	CursesZ	Nightfall
	Reckless Haste	Hex Spell. Also hexes foes adjacent to your target (6...11...12 seconds). These foes have 50% chance to miss, but attack 25% faster.	0	1515	01.001	01212		necromancera	CursesZ	Factions
	Shadow of Fear	Hex Spell. Also hexes foes adjacent to target (5...25...30 seconds). They attack 50% slower.	0	1010	02.002	0055		necromancera	CursesZ	Prophecies
	Shared Burden	Elite Hex Spell. Also hexes foes near your target (5...17...20 seconds). These foes attack, cast spells, and move 50% slower.	0	055	02.002	01515		mesmera	Illusion MagicZ	Factions
	Shared Burden (PvP)	Elite Hex Spell. Also hexes foes near your target (5...17...20 seconds). These foes attack, cast spells, and move 33% slower.	0	1010	02.002	02020		mesmera	Illusion MagicZ	Factions
	Sum of All Fears	Hex Spell. (1...8...10 second[s].) Target foe moves, attacks, and casts spells 33% slower.	0	1010	02.002	01010		mesmera	Illusion MagicZ	Eye of the North
	Teinai's Heat	Ward Spell. (10...14...15 seconds.) Causes -2...4...5 health [sic] degeneration. Weakened foes in the ward attack 33% slower. Disabled for 20 seconds.	0	1515	01.001	02020		elementalista	Fire MagicZ	Factions
	Tryptophan Signet	Signet. (14...20 seconds.) Target and adjacent foes move and attack 23...40% slower.	0	0	01.001	01515		a	Ebon Vanguard rankZ	Eye of the North

Miscellaneous

Icon	Name	Description						Attribute	Campaign
	"Tango Down!"	Elite Shout. You lose all hexes and conditions. For each dead foe within earshot, you gain 5 seconds of +6 Health regeneration, 5 seconds of +1 Energy regeneration, and 5 seconds of +25% attack speed.	0	055	0	01515		Z	Core
	"There's not enough time!!"	Shout. (20 seconds.) Creatures in earshot attack, move, and activate skills 100% faster.	0	1010	0	02020		Z	Prophecies
	Shadowy Soul Explosion	When an Afflicted Assassin dies, all enemies in the area are struck for 25...57...65 damage, and all Afflicted in the area move and attack 25% faster (10...13...14 seconds).	0	0	0	0		Z	Winds of Change
	Spectral Agony	Skill. (5 seconds.) Target foe has -1...30 Health degeneration; moves, attacks, and uses skills 80% slower; and loses 3...81 Health each second.	0	0	00.250.25¼	01515		Z	Prophecies

Notes

• Monks have no skills that increase or decrease attack speed. However, they are the only profession with skills that prevent foes from attacking (outside PvE-only skills).