Can a Ranger Get Haste? A Deep Dive into Ranger Spellcasting

Yes, a Ranger can indeed gain access to the powerful haste spell, but not through their typical spellcasting progression. The most common way for a Ranger to acquire haste is through the Horizon Walker subclass, which grants this ability at level nine. This exception is a significant departure from the Ranger’s usual spell selection, making it a highly sought-after feature of this particular subclass. This article delves into how Rangers access haste, how the spell works, and answers other related frequently asked questions.

Horizon Walker Rangers and Haste

A Unique Ranger Path

The Horizon Walker is a Ranger subclass focused on protecting the world from extraplanar threats and traversing planar boundaries. This subclass gains abilities tied to planar travel and combat, and the haste spell perfectly complements their mobility and combat focus. At level nine, a Horizon Walker Ranger learns the haste spell, which becomes a powerful tool in their arsenal.

Why Haste Fits the Horizon Walker

The haste spell is beneficial for a Horizon Walker in several ways:

• Increased Mobility: The spell doubles the target’s speed, enabling the Horizon Walker to move swiftly across the battlefield or chase down fleeing enemies. This is crucial for a ranger who needs to reposition effectively during combat or quickly reach a distant target.
• Enhanced Action Economy: The extra action granted by haste allows a Ranger to make an additional attack (not a spell). This provides a significant boost in damage output, particularly when combined with the Ranger’s other combat skills.
• Improved Defenses: The spell grants a +2 bonus to AC and advantage on Dexterity saving throws, making the Horizon Walker significantly more difficult to hit and to harm with many area of effects. This can be crucial when battling powerful foes and traversing dangerous environments.
• Planar Agility: Given the Horizon Walker’s affinity for planar travel, the haste spell reinforces their ability to move through various environments with remarkable speed and dexterity.

No Other Ranger Subclass Gets Haste

It is important to note that the Horizon Walker is the only Ranger subclass that can directly access the haste spell. Other Ranger subclasses, such as Hunter or Beast Master, cannot learn haste through their subclass features or class spell list. Therefore, if haste is a desirable feature for your Ranger build, the Horizon Walker is the most direct route to acquire it.

Haste in D&D 5E: How It Works

The Basics

Haste is a 3rd-level transmutation spell. Here’s a breakdown of its effects:

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: 30 feet
• Components: V, S, M (a shaving of licorice root)
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Upon casting haste on a willing creature within range:

1. The target’s speed is doubled.
2. The target gains a +2 bonus to AC.
3. The target has advantage on Dexterity saving throws.
4. The target gains an additional action on each of its turns.

However, the additional action is limited and can only be used to perform one of the following actions:

• Attack (one weapon attack only)
• Dash
• Disengage
• Hide
• Use an object

The Haste Drawback

When the haste spell ends, the target cannot move or take actions until after its next turn. This is known as the “lethargic” condition, and it makes the spell a risk versus reward consideration. You must carefully manage the duration of haste to avoid being caught off guard in a vulnerable state.

Casting Restrictions

Notably, the extra action from haste cannot be used to cast another spell. This means you cannot double up on spellcasting in the same turn with haste. You can however, cast a spell with your normal action and use your haste action for an attack if you would be eligible for one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the intricacies of the haste spell and its use by Rangers:

1. What other classes can learn haste?

The primary classes that can learn the haste spell are Sorcerers, Wizards, and Artificers. Sorcerers and Wizards typically gain access to haste at level five, while Artificers gain it at level nine. Additionally, as mentioned, the Circle of the Land Druid (Grassland) can learn haste at level five, and Horizon Walker Rangers learn haste at level nine.

2. Can you cast haste on yourself?

Yes, you can absolutely cast haste on yourself, provided you are a willing target. This makes it a versatile buff to increase your own mobility, defenses, and action economy in combat.

3. Is haste a good spell in D&D 5E?

Yes, haste is considered one of the most powerful spells in D&D 5e. Its ability to significantly increase mobility, action economy, and defenses makes it a valuable asset for any character. However, the lethargic condition at the end of the spell requires careful planning and execution.

4. Can you cast a spell using your extra action from haste?

No, the extra action granted by haste cannot be used to cast a spell, even a cantrip. The action can be used for attacks, moving, hiding, disengaging, and using an object.

5. Does haste give two attacks?

No, haste does not grant two attacks. The Attack action from haste allows only one additional weapon attack. It does not stack with extra attacks from class features such as those found with Fighters.

6. Is slow better than haste in D&D 5e?

Generally, haste is considered better than slow when facing a single, powerful enemy. Slow is more effective against groups of enemies because of the area of effect and the penalties to attack rolls and movement. Neither is particularly effective against ranged attackers or casters due to the nature of those builds.

7. Can you combine haste with other speed buffs?

Yes, you can combine haste with other speed buffs, such as movement abilities granted by class features or magic items. However, the speed bonuses from multiple sources of haste will not stack.

8. What is the strongest warlock subclass?

While all warlock subclasses offer unique benefits, the Genie is often considered the most powerful by many players due to its versatility and potent patron features. Other strong options include Hexblade and Fiend.

9. What level spell is haste?

Haste is a 3rd-level transmutation spell.

10. Is haste suboptimal in D&D 5e?

Haste is far from suboptimal in D&D 5e. While it carries a risk (the lethargic effect at the end), its potential is high. Used correctly, it can turn the tide of battle.

11. What is the elixir of haste?

In some video games and other D&D settings, there may be an item called the “elixir of haste“. These typically provide a temporary buff that is very similar to the spell haste. In the core D&D 5e rules, no such item exists.

12. Which is better, rage or haste?

Rage, a feature of Barbarians, is vastly different than haste. It grants advantage on strength checks and saving throws, plus additional damage. While haste increases movement and allows an additional action. Whether rage or haste is better depends on the situation and the role of the character utilizing them. Rage only buffs the user.

13. Does haste give advantage?

Yes, haste provides the target with advantage on Dexterity saving throws. Additionally, it grants a +2 bonus to AC, which can greatly improve the target’s survivability.

14. Are Warlocks stronger than Wizards?

Whether Warlocks are “stronger” than Wizards is subjective and highly dependent on playstyle. Warlocks are often better in single target damage, while Wizards offer more utility, area of effect and more spells. In general, it can be said that Warlocks are more combat focused while Wizards excel in spell casting. Both are exceptionally good in their respective roles.

15. What is the most overpowered subclass in 5e?

There is no definitive answer to the most overpowered subclass, as it varies depending on the party composition, setting, and optimization level. That being said, the School of Divination Wizard, Oath of Vengeance Paladin, and Twilight Domain Cleric are often cited as incredibly strong subclasses with powerful abilities.