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Haste

A timed state on the user or allies that makes them act faster than normal for its duration, with more movement, more attacks or actions per turn or second, or earlier and more frequent turns, after which normal speed returns

Also known as: Haste Spell, potion of haste, potion of haste self, FAST, Fast, Bloodlust, Heroism, Rapid Fire, Tailwind, Rush

Definition

A haste is a timed state under which the affected creature moves further, attacks or acts more often, or takes earlier and more frequent turns, until normal speed returns. The dash is a single burst of movement; a haste changes rate for a span. The slow is its opposite, and the two cancel each other in most cited games, while bless raises accuracy, damage, or saves rather than speed. The hasted condition as a system belongs to status effects. Magic: The Gathering’s haste keyword lets a creature attack in the turn it arrives and adds no speed, a different thing under the same name.

Behaviour

Tabletop forms double the rate: the Holmes potion gives “twice normal speed” and “twice the usual number of blows”, though in the Players Handbook “Spell casting is not more rapid”. Real-time forms add a percentage, 40% attack rate for Warcraft III’s Bloodlust and 30% for World of Warcraft’s. Turn-based video forms change frequency or order through initiative: Rogue grants an extra move each turn, and Tailwind doubles the team’s speed. Counterplay is a slow, or Trick Room, which reverses turn order. A chance on hit of an extra swing, such as Windfury Totem, is a proc.

Variations

  • Doubled rate (Holmes Basic, Players Handbook, Final Fantasy): movement and attacks, or hits per attack, doubled.
  • Restricted extra action (Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition; Pathfinder 2e reportedly): one more action each turn from a short list.
  • Turn-order haste (Final Fantasy IV, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33): the creature acts sooner and more often; Rush adds 33% speed.
  • Group burst with a lockout (World of Warcraft): Bloodlust or Heroism hastes the party, then bars it from benefiting again for 10 minutes.
  • Movement only (Monsters & Treasure; Warcraft II reportedly): attack rate unchanged, a border form.
  • Combo-point attack speed (World of Warcraft Slice and Dice): a finisher, longer with more combo points.

Gating

Tabletop hastes are slot spells, 3rd level from 1974 onward, and the 5th edition adds an action and concentration. Potions make it a consumable from 1974 (Speed) and 1977; Rogue adds a charged wand for monsters. Final Fantasy keeps a per-level stock restored at inns; Final Fantasy IV charges 25 MP from a shared pool. Warcraft III’s Bloodlust has no cooldown and is limited by mana and a research upgrade. World of Warcraft gates Rapid Fire by a five-minute cooldown and adds a gate on the recipients, whose lockout stops several shamans chaining Bloodlust. A recurring cost falls on the beneficiary: Rogue’s fainting, the Players Handbook’s ageing, the 5th edition’s lethargy, World of Warcraft’s lockout.

History and provenance

Men & Magic (1974) lists Haste Spell beside Slow Spell and defines it only as the opposite, each countering the other, so confidence is medium. The doubled rate is first stated in the cited texts in the Holmes potion (1977) and the Players Handbook spell (1978), which adds ageing. The movement-only Potion of Speed (1974) is an antecedent; Chainmail’s 1972 spell list has no haste. Rogue’s potion of haste self, in the 5.4 source, is the earliest cited video instance; its presence in 1980 is unconfirmed, and the Wizardry (1981) manual lists no haste. World of Warcraft reportedly added Bloodlust and Heroism in 2006.

Notable examples

Notable examples, in chronological order. Notes describe how the ability behaves in each game; gating is what limits its use there; the latest reference is a widely played game from 2020 or later.
GameYearMediumGatingHow the ability behaves
Dungeons & Dragons
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR)		1974Tabletop RPGSpell slotsHaste Spell, a 3rd-level Magic-User spell first castable at fifth level (Thaumaturgist), is "exactly the opposite of a Slow Spell in effect, but otherwise like it", so it shares Slow's area of up to 24 creatures in 6 by 12 inches, 3 turns, and 24-inch range; each counters the other. The text states no rate.
Rogue
Michael Toy, Glenn Wichman, and Ken Arnold		1980VideoConsumable, ChargesThe potion of haste self gives the player an extra move each turn for rnd(4)+4 turns; quaffing another while hasted makes the player "faint from exhaustion" for a random number of turns. A charged wand of haste monster hastes a monster or cancels its slow. Behaviour cited from the 5.4 source; its presence in the 1980 release is unconfirmed.
Final Fantasy
Square		1987VideoSpell slotsFAST, a level 4 Black Magic spell on one ally, "Raises agility, nullifies SLOW, and increases fire rate of weapon 2 times", doubling the hits of each attack. Magic power is restored by staying at an inn. Wording from the 1990 NES manual.
Final Fantasy IV
Square (Hiroyuki Ito)		1991VideoManaFast, a White Magic spell costing 25 MP, "speeds time" for its target, and Slow, at 14 MP, "slows time". Under the Active Time Battle system it reportedly fills the target's gauge faster, so the hasted character takes more turns in the same time. Wording from the US manual, where the game is titled Final Fantasy II.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Blizzard Entertainment		2002VideoManaThe Orc Shaman's Bloodlust "Increases a friendly unit's attack rate by 40% and movement speed by 25%" for 60 seconds on a single friendly organic unit or the Shaman. It costs 50 mana, has no cooldown, can be set to autocast, and needs Shaman Master Training. The Human Sorceress's Slow reduces attack and movement speeds.
World of Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment		2004VideoCooldownThe hunter's Rapid Fire "increases ranged attack speed by 40% for 15 seconds" on a five-minute timer (2006 guide). The shaman's Bloodlust and Heroism, reportedly added in patch 2.0.1 (December 2006), speed melee, ranged, and spell casting by 30% for 40 seconds on the party, after which recipients cannot benefit again for 10 minutes.
Dota 2
Valve		2013VideoMana, CooldownOgre Magi's Bloodlust gives a friendly unit, towers included, 6 to 12% movement speed and 35 to 80 attack speed for 30 seconds, with more attack speed when cast on himself; 40 to 70 mana, 20 to 14 s cooldown in 2026 data. The Haste rune, a pickup, instead raises movement speed to maximum, a movement-only form.
Path of Exile
Grinding Gear Games		2013VideoMana, Ultimate chargeHaste is an aura raising attack, cast and movement speed that reserves a share of maximum mana while active rather than spending it, 60% under the 1.0.0 notes. Vaal Haste spends 50 souls (3.3.0) on a burst lasting 4 seconds since 2.6.0, giving 31% attack and cast speed and 13% movement speed at gem level 20.
Dungeons & Dragons, 5th edition
Wizards of the Coast		2014Tabletop RPGSpell slots, Action costHaste (3rd level, one action, 30 feet, concentration up to 1 minute) on one willing creature doubles its speed, gives +2 AC and advantage on Dexterity saves, and grants one extra action each turn, limited to Attack (one weapon attack), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object. When it ends, the target cannot move or act until after its next turn.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Latest
Game Freak (Nintendo, The Pokémon Company)		2022VideoPer restTailwind, a Flying-type status move, doubles the speed of every active member of the user's team for four turns, counting the turn it is used, so they act earlier. It stacks with stat boosts and is countered by an opposing Tailwind or by Trick Room, which reverses turn order. Uses are reportedly limited by PP, restored at a Pokémon Center.

Provenance

Earliest documented use: Dungeons & Dragons (1974), tabletop rpg. Confidence: medium. Men & Magic (1974) lists Haste Spell and Slow Spell among the 3rd-level Magic-User spells and defines Haste as "exactly the opposite of a Slow Spell in effect", adding that "it will counter its opposite and vice-versa". Neither text states a rate, hence medium confidence. Greyhawk (1975) repeats both without defining them. The doubled rate is first stated in the cited texts in Holmes Basic (1977), whose potion of haste lets the user move "at twice normal speed" and deliver "twice the usual number of blows", and in the Players Handbook (1978), whose spell doubles movement and attack rates and ages the recipients. An antecedent is the Potion of Speed of Monsters & Treasure (1974), which doubles movement only. Chainmail's second edition (1972) lists no haste among its wizard spells. The earliest cited video instance is Rogue's potion of haste self, in the 5.4 source; its presence in the 1980 release is unconfirmed. The Wizardry (1981) manual lists no haste spell.

Sources

  1. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules). (1974). Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 1, Men & Magic. Rulebook p. 21, Spells Table, Magic-Users, 3rd level; p. 26, Slow Spell and Haste Spell. Accessed 2026-10-24. Haste defined as the opposite of Slow, the mutual counter, and the 3rd-level placement; no rate stated.
  2. J. Eric Holmes, from Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (TSR). (1977). Dungeons & Dragons (Basic Set rulebook, Holmes edition). Rulebook p. 36, Explanation of Magical Items, potions: Haste. Accessed 2026-10-24. Twice normal speed and twice the usual number of blows for the potion's duration.
  3. Gary Gygax (TSR). (1978). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook. Rulebook p. 73, Haste (Magic-User, 3rd level); pp. 74-75, Slow. Accessed 2026-10-24. Double movement and attack rates, casting not faster, negation of slow, and ageing of the recipients.
  4. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (Tactical Studies Rules). (1974). Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2, Monsters & Treasure. Rulebook Potions, Speed; Miscellaneous Magic, Boots of Speed. Accessed 2026-10-24. The movement-only Potion of Speed.
  5. Gary Gygax and Jeff Perren (Guidon Games). (1972). Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures, 2nd edition. Rulebook Fantasy Supplement, Wizards, spell list. Accessed 2026-10-24. The wizard spell list, which has no haste or slow.
  6. Wizards of the Coast. (2016). System Reference Document 5.1. Rulebook p. 153, Haste; p. 180, Slow. Accessed 2026-10-24. Doubled speed, +2 AC, the restricted extra action, and lethargy when the spell ends.
  7. Michael Toy, Ken Arnold, and Glenn Wichman. Rogue 5.4 source (potions.c, misc.c, sticks.c). Website potions.c, case P_HASTE; misc.c, add_haste(); sticks.c, WS_HASTE_M and WS_SLOW_M. Accessed 2026-10-24. The rnd(4)+4 turn haste, fainting on a second dose, and the cancelling haste and slow wands.
  8. Square. (1990). Final Fantasy instruction manual (NES). Nintendo of America. Rulebook p. 78, Black Magic levels 2 and 4 (SLOW, FAST); The Inns. Accessed 2026-10-24. FAST doubles hits and nullifies SLOW; magic restored at inns.
  9. Square. (1991). Final Fantasy II instruction manual (SNES, US). Square Soft. Rulebook White Magic table: Fast, Slow. Accessed 2026-10-24. Fast at 25 MP "speeds time"; Slow at 14 MP "slows time".
  10. Blizzard Entertainment. (2002). Warcraft III: Orc Shaman unit page. Blizzard Entertainment (battle.net). Website Bloodlust (Autocast) table. Accessed 2026-10-24. Plus 40% attack rate and 25% movement for 60 seconds, 50 mana, no cooldown.
  11. BradyGames. (2006). World of Warcraft Master Guide, 2nd edition. Book Hunter chapter, Rapid Fire; Rogue chapter, Slice and Dice; Shaman chapter. Accessed 2026-10-24. Pre-expansion self-hastes on cooldowns; no Bloodlust in the shaman list.
  12. Passion (Warcraft Tavern). (2022). Buffs And Cooldowns In Raids Adjusted For WotLK Classic. Article Accessed 2026-10-24. Exhaustion and Sated clear at encounter end in the Classic re-release, to stop players dying to remove them.
  13. Luxrah (Warcraft Tavern). (2025). Heroism & Bloodlust Will Reset for Bosses in TBC Classic Anniversary Edition. Article Accessed 2026-10-24. The debuff prevents benefiting from Heroism or Bloodlust again for 10 minutes.
  14. Bloodlust. Warcraft Wiki. Wiki Bloodlust added in patch 2.0.1 (December 2006); the 30% haste for 40 seconds.
  15. Lukus Herblet (Sportskeeda). (2024). Pokemon VGC Tailwind: How to use, tips, and counters. Article Accessed 2026-10-24. Doubled team speed for four turns, counting the turn used, in Scarlet and Violet; Trick Room as a counter.
  16. Abhishek Mallick (Backdash). (2025). All Status Effects, Buffs, and Debuffs in Clair Obscur Expedition 33. Article Accessed 2026-10-24. Rush raises speed by 33% for more turns; Slow is its opposite.
  17. Wizards of the Coast. (2026). Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules. Rulebook 702.10, Haste. Accessed 2026-10-24. The haste keyword, which removes the delay on a newly controlled creature and adds no speed.
  18. Grinding Gear Games. (2013). Path of Exile 1.0.0 Release Patch Notes. Website Accessed 2026-10-24. Haste raising attack, cast and movement speed, and most auras, Haste among them, set to 60% mana reservation.
  19. Grinding Gear Games. (2017). Path of Exile Content Update 2.6.0 Patch Notes. Website Accessed 2026-10-24. Vaal Haste's speed bonuses by gem level and its duration cut from 6 to 4 seconds.
  20. Grinding Gear Games. (2018). Path of Exile: Incursion (Content Update 3.3.0) Patch Notes. Website Accessed 2026-10-24. Vaal Haste's cost of 50 souls.
  21. Valve. Dota 2 hero data, Ogre Magi. Website Bloodlust. Accessed 2026-10-25. Current movement and attack speed bonuses, duration, the self-cast bonus, casting on towers, mana, and cooldown.
  22. Valve, via SteamTracking GameTracking-Dota2. (2026). Dota 2 localisation (abilities_english). Website DOTA_Tooltip_rune_haste_description. Accessed 2026-10-25. The Haste rune's tooltip, movement speed increased to maximum.

Cite this entry

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West, James, Jr. (2026). "Haste." Game Mechanic Compendium, updated 2026-10-25. http://localhost:4321/abilities/haste

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