Does Haste Give 4 Attacks? Unraveling the Speed Spell in D&D 5E and BG3

The short answer is maybe, but it’s complicated and depends on the context! In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5E), haste does not inherently grant 4 attacks. However, in the video game Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), due to some divergence in rules interpretation, the answer can sometimes be yes, depending on your character’s class, abilities, and how you use your actions. It’s important to know the difference between the two contexts. Let’s break down the differences and the nuances of how Haste interacts with attacks in both systems.

Haste in D&D 5E: A Single Swift Strike

In the tabletop rules of D&D 5E, the Haste spell grants the target:

• Doubled Speed: Your walking speed is doubled.
• +2 AC Bonus: A +2 bonus to Armor Class.
• Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws: You gain advantage on Dexterity saving throws.
• An Additional Action: This is the key part. You get one extra action on each of your turns.

Crucially, the additional action granted by Haste is limited in its use. The spell description states you can use this action to take only one of the following actions:

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

Notice that the Attack option specifies “one weapon attack only.” Therefore, Haste itself doesn’t directly grant 4 attacks. A character with the Extra Attack feature (common for Fighters, Barbarians, Rangers, and Paladins) normally makes multiple attacks when they take the Attack action. However, with Haste, they only get one attack with their Hasted Action.

So, where might the confusion for 4 attacks come from? If a Fighter with the Extra Attack feature (granting two attacks) uses their regular Action to attack (making two attacks) and then uses their Hasted Action to make one additional attack (totaling three), it might be conflated with a misunderstanding about how the spell works. The fourth attack would need to come from somewhere else, like a Bonus Action.

The Polearm Master Feat and Bonus Actions

One common way to achieve a fourth attack in conjunction with Haste in 5E is using the Polearm Master (PAM) feat. If you have PAM and use the Attack action to attack with a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear, you can use a Bonus Action to make a melee attack with the opposite end of the weapon.

Here’s the sequence for maximizing attacks in 5E with Haste and PAM:

1. Action: Attack (2 attacks with Extra Attack)
2. Bonus Action: PAM attack (1 attack)
3. Hasted Action: Attack (1 attack)

This setup results in a total of 4 attacks per round. It is important to note that this is not directly from Haste, but a combination of abilities, and can require specific class choices to take advantage of, such as Fighters, Barbarians or Paladins.

Haste in Baldur’s Gate 3: A Different Interpretation

Baldur’s Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios, adapts the 5E ruleset, but sometimes includes unique interpretations and modifications. While the core function of Haste remains similar (doubled speed, +2 AC, advantage on Dex saves, and an extra action), the implementation of the “extra action” for attacks differs.

In BG3, it seems the restriction on the Hasted Action to only one attack is sometimes loosened, especially for characters with Extra Attack. For example, a Fighter with Extra Attack can sometimes make two attacks with their Hasted Action rather than just one, as intended in RAW. This is an area of debate in the BG3 community.

So, if a character in BG3 can make two attacks with their Hasted Action and two attacks with their regular Action (due to Extra Attack), then yes, they could achieve 4 attacks. Again, this depends on the build of the character.

Why the Difference?

The difference likely stems from design choices made by Larian Studios to enhance the player experience and provide a more dynamic combat system. It might be seen as a way to make martial classes feel more powerful and to encourage aggressive playstyles.

The Specific Wording from the Article:

“Hastened condition allows a creature to make multiple attacks for both their base Action and their Haste Action. For example, a Hastened character with Extra Attack can make 2 total attacks per Action for a combined total of 4 attacks per turn.”

This is a key quote reflecting the BG3 interpretation of Haste, where it effectively doubles your attacking capabilities for that turn. It is not necessarily correct within the tabletop rules of D&D 5E.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Haste and Attacks

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Haste and attacks, designed to clarify common confusions and address specific scenarios:

1. Does Haste grant Multiattack in 5E? No, Haste grants an additional Action, which can be used to take a single attack. It doesn’t grant an additional instance of Multiattack. If a creature has the Multiattack ability, they can use their regular action for Multiattack and their Hasted action for a single attack.

2. Does Haste stack with Extra Attack in BG3? It depends. In BG3, sometimes a character with Extra Attack can perform their full Extra Attack routine during their Hasted Action. In standard 5e, it only allows for 1 attack to be made.

3. Can you cast a spell and attack with Haste on the same turn in 5E? Yes, you can. You cast Haste using your normal Action. Then, on that same turn, you can use the additional action granted by Haste to make a single weapon attack.

4. Does Haste give you an additional Bonus Action? No, Haste does not grant an additional Bonus Action. Bonus Actions are separate and governed by other abilities, feats, or spells.

5. Can you Double Dash with Haste in 5E? Yes. You can use your Action to Dash and your Hasted Action to Dash again.

6. Can Haste stack with itself in 5E or BG3? No. Effects from the same spell do not stack. Only the most recent or potent effect is applied. You cannot be affected by the same spell twice.

7. Does Haste affect Fly speed in 5E? Yes, Haste doubles your speed, which includes your fly speed if you have one.

8. Does Multiattack count as one Action in 5E? Yes, Multiattack is one action, even though it involves multiple attacks. If something triggers based on taking an action, Multiattack triggers it once. However, if something triggers on each attack, it triggers multiple times during a Multiattack action.

9. Does Haste stack with Action Surge (Fighter ability) in 5E? Yes, Haste and Action Surge stack. Haste grants an additional action with restrictions, while Action Surge grants an additional action without restrictions.

10. Does Haste give Advantage on attack rolls in 5E? No, Haste does not give Advantage on attack rolls. It provides a +2 to AC and advantage on Dexterity saving throws.

11. Who is the best target for Haste in 5E? Classes that benefit most from Haste include martial classes like Fighters, Barbarians, Paladins and Monks, who can use the extra action to attack or dash.

12. Can I attack after casting Haste in 5E? If you cast Haste on yourself, you used your Action to Cast a Spell. You can then use the Hasted Action to make one weapon attack, but not take the full Attack action.

13. Does Haste affect Concentration in 5E? Haste requires Concentration, so if you take damage, you must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain the spell.

14. What happens if Haste ends prematurely in 5E? When Haste ends, the target can’t move or take actions until after its next turn, as it becomes lethargic.

15. Where can I learn more about D&D rules and game design? You can explore game design principles and learn more about educational games at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for resources and insights.

Conclusion: Haste Makes Waste (of Misunderstandings!)

Understanding the nuances of Haste and how it interacts with attacks in both D&D 5E and Baldur’s Gate 3 is crucial for optimizing your gameplay. While Haste itself doesn’t directly grant 4 attacks, it can contribute to achieving that number through clever use of feats, class features, and, in BG3, the game’s specific interpretation of the spell. Always refer to the specific ruleset and context to make the most of this powerful, yet complex spell. So, be hasteful, be informed, and happy gaming!