Does Thirsting Blade Work With Haste? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is yes, but not in the way you might initially think. Thirsting Blade, a powerful Warlock invocation, and Haste, a potent spell, interact in a way that allows for more attacks, but with specific limitations. Let’s break down the mechanics and clear up any confusion.
Understanding Thirsting Blade and Haste
Before we delve into the interaction, let’s define each ability individually:
Thirsting Blade
Thirsting Blade is an Eldritch Invocation available to Warlocks of the Pact of the Blade. This invocation states that “you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.” This effectively grants the warlock the equivalent of the Extra Attack feature that many martial classes enjoy. However, it’s crucial to note that it only applies when you take the Attack action. It does not grant additional attacks when you use other actions.
Haste
The Haste spell grants a single target several benefits for the duration of the spell, most notably an additional action on each of their turns. However, this additional action is limited; it can only be used for one of the following: Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action. Importantly, it also grants a bonus to AC, increased movement speed, and advantage on Dexterity saving throws.
How They Interact
The key here is that the additional action from Haste allows you to take another Attack action, not an extra attack as part of your already existing Attack action. So, when combining Haste with Thirsting Blade:
- You take your regular action and use it to Attack. Because you have Thirsting Blade, you get to make two attacks as part of this Attack action.
- You then take the additional action granted by Haste and use it to take another Attack action. However, the Haste action limits you to making only one attack as part of this Attack action.
- Therefore, with both Thirsting Blade and Haste active, you get a total of three attacks in a single turn.
Importantly: The extra attack provided by Thirsting Blade only applies to your main action and not the additional Haste action. Thus, while Haste grants an extra attack action, you can’t use Thirsting Blade with this haste action to make two extra attacks, since Haste limits you to one single attack with that action.
The Nuances of Multiple Attack Features
It’s also vital to understand that extra attack abilities do not stack. You won’t get four or more attacks by combining multiple features that allow additional attacks; instead, you get the highest number of attacks specified by a single ability. The key distinction here is that Haste provides an additional Action, not an additional attack as part of a given action; this allows it to bypass the stacking restrictions on additional attacks.
Haste and Other Attack Enhancements
Haste’s additional action, although limited, can be powerful in combination with other features. It opens up further tactical advantages beyond the scope of just Thirsting Blade and additional attacks. Understanding these interactions is essential for any player looking to optimize combat efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the interaction of Thirsting Blade and Haste, let’s address some common questions:
1. Can you use Extra Attack with Haste?
Yes. While Haste’s extra action is limited to one attack, the standard Extra Attack feature works normally with your regular action. Haste allows for a separate attack action, not a modification of the standard action. You get an additional attack action limited to one attack.
2. Does Haste stack with Thirsting Blade?
Haste doesn’t directly stack with Thirsting Blade to grant four attacks. Thirsting Blade grants two attacks with your regular Attack Action. Haste grants a separate action that can be used for a single attack. The result is a combined three attacks.
3. Can I use Thirsting Blade and Extra Attack?
No. You cannot combine Thirsting Blade with Extra Attack, as both features provide additional attacks within an Attack action, thus they don’t stack. The rules state implicitly that you can’t and it’s further clarified in the multiclassing rules. The intent of both is to grant the ability to make two attacks with the attack action.
4. Does Action Surge work with Haste?
Yes. Action Surge, from the Fighter class, provides another action, distinct from the Haste action. Haste doesn’t limit the usage of Action Surge, and they can be used together. Action Surge does allow to take the Attack action and use your class’s extra attack feature if you have it. This means you could take a normal attack action with Thirsting Blade, one attack action from Haste, and another one from action surge for a grand total of 4 attacks in a single turn.
5. Does Haste let you attack 4 times?
It depends on your setup. Haste itself will not allow you to attack 4 times without help from other effects, as the action granted by the Haste spell only allows for one attack. Using Thirsting Blade alongside the Haste action grants three attacks; however, action surge does allow for 4 attacks when used together.
6. Can you use Thirsting Blade with Shadow Blade?
Yes. You can make two attacks with your main weapon (due to Thirsting Blade) and then make a third attack with the Shadow Blade using the additional Haste action to perform another attack.
7. Does Thirsting Blade work with Green Flame Blade?
No. Thirsting Blade only works with the Attack action, while Green Flame Blade uses the Cast a Spell action. You cannot trigger Thirsting Blade when using Green Flame Blade or any other cantrip, as these spells use the Cast a Spell action.
8. Does Booming Blade allow for extra attack?
Generally, no. Booming Blade uses a Cast a Spell action, preventing additional attacks from features like Extra Attack and Thirsting Blade. However, some features like the Bladesinger Wizard can allow an extra attack by allowing a regular attack action to be replaced with a single casting of Booming Blade. This can allow them to take advantage of features like Two Weapon Fighting.
9. Does Haste affect movement speed and flight?
Yes. Haste doubles your movement speed, and this benefit applies to all forms of movement you have, including flying. If you have a flying speed from a magic item like Winged Boots, that flying speed is doubled by Haste.
10. Can you cast Haste on yourself?
Yes. You can cast Haste on yourself, though doing so requires concentration. It’s a powerful self-buff that’s often worth the risk.
11. Does Haste stack with other similar effects?
No. Haste doesn’t stack with other haste-like effects or other casted Haste spells. Each spell can only be cast once on a target.
12. Does Haste work with Flurry of Blows?
Yes, Flurry of Blows uses a bonus action which does not interfere with your Haste action, so you can take your regular attacks, your Haste attack, and then a Flurry of Blows if you’re a Monk.
13. Does Slow cancel Haste?
No, but Slow severely limits Haste. If a creature is affected by both Haste and Slow, they have to abide by the effects of both spells. The Slow spell will reduce the affected creature’s number of attacks per action by only allowing one attack per action, so a creature affected by both would get one attack with the regular attack action, and one more with the haste action, mitigating the multi-attack benefits of Haste.
14. Does Haste give advantage?
Yes, Haste gives a target advantage on Dexterity saving throws, which is a powerful defensive boost, as well as a +2 bonus to AC.
15. Can I use magic items with the Haste action?
The Haste action’s “Use an Object” option only applies to non-magical items. You cannot use a magic item with the action granted by Haste.
Conclusion
Haste and Thirsting Blade can combine to create a very potent offensive output. While they don’t interact as straightforwardly as some players might hope, understanding the specific mechanics of each feature allows for optimization and tactical planning. Ultimately, a clever application of Haste alongside Thirsting Blade, and other similar features, is essential for taking full advantage of their power.