Need for Speed? A Comprehensive Guide to Increasing Movement in D&D 5e

So, your character’s got a serious case of wanderlust, or maybe they just need to outrun that Gelatinous Cube? You’re in the right place! Increasing your speed in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition opens up exciting tactical possibilities, from kiting enemies and reaching objectives faster to becoming a whirlwind of melee devastation. There are many ways to accomplish this. Race selection, feats, class features, spells, and magic items can all contribute to boosting your character’s movement speed. Let’s dive into the methods and uncover how to make your character the fastest on the tabletop.

The Need For Speed: Why Bother?

Before we turbocharge your character, let’s understand why speed is so vital. In combat, movement is everything. A faster character can:

• Engage or disengage: Control the battlefield by moving in and out of melee range.
• Reach vulnerable targets: Get behind enemy lines to attack casters or other squishy opponents.
• Avoid danger: Outrun area-of-effect spells or pursue fleeing enemies.
• Secure objectives: Capture flags, disable traps, or reach important locations first.

Outside of combat, increased speed helps with:

• Exploration: Cover more ground quickly, finding treasures and completing quests.
• Travel: Reduce travel time, allowing your party to reach destinations sooner.
• Survival: Escape dangerous situations, like pursuing monsters or collapsing dungeons.

Methods of Increasing Speed

1. Races with Enhanced Speed

Some races naturally possess higher base speeds than others. Consider these options during character creation:

• Wood Elf: A base walking speed of 35 feet, 5 feet faster than the standard 30 feet, gives them a slight edge from the start.

2. Class Features and Abilities

Certain classes offer features that directly or indirectly enhance movement speed.

• Barbarian (Path of the Elk Totem Warrior): At 6th level, while following the Elk Totem, your travel pace is doubled for you and up to ten companions within 60 feet. This is especially potent for overland travel.
• Monk: A Monk’s Unarmored Movement grants additional speed as they level up, eventually reaching a +30 feet bonus.
• Rogue (Thief): The Thief subclass’s Fast Hands feature allows you to use a bonus action to Dash, effectively doubling your speed in a turn.
• Ranger: Certain Ranger spells and abilities, such as Longstrider, can temporarily increase movement speed. At 7th level, beast master rangers can enhance speed using the companion.

3. Feats That Give You Wings (Or Just Faster Feet)

Feats offer customization and power boosts. Here’s how they can help with speed:

• Mobile: Grants +10 feet to your walking speed and allows you to avoid opportunity attacks after attacking a creature. This is invaluable for hit-and-run tactics.
• Athlete: While primarily focused on jumping, the Athlete feat allows you to stand up from being prone using only 5 feet of movement, which can be useful in some situations.
• Travel Devotion: From Complete Champion, this feat allows you to move your full speed as a Swift action (equivalent to a bonus action in 5e) once per day for 1 minute.

4. Spells for a Swift Escape (Or a Quick Pursuit)

Magic is a powerful tool for manipulating movement. Here are some notable spells:

• Longstrider: Adds 10 feet to a creature’s walking speed for an hour. This is a low-level, non-concentration spell, making it ideal for long journeys.
• Haste: Doubles a creature’s speed and grants additional actions, making them incredibly potent in combat. However, it requires concentration and has a significant drawback upon ending.
• Dimension Door: A short-range teleportation spell that instantly moves you up to 500 feet.
• Fly: Grants the ability to fly at a speed of 60 feet, opening up entirely new avenues of movement and traversal.
• Misty Step: A bonus action teleportation spell that instantly moves you 30 feet.
• Teleport: For those who absolutely, positively have to be somewhere else right now, the Teleport spell offers long-distance travel.
• Expeditious Retreat: A low-level spell that allows you to use your bonus action to Dash on each of your turns. This is a great option for classes that don’t typically use their bonus action.

5. Magical Items: Gear Up for Speed

Magic items provide permanent or conditional speed enhancements. Keep an eye out for these treasures:

• Boots of Speed: Double your walking speed as a bonus action. Creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls of opportunity against you.
• Winged Boots: Grant a flying speed equal to your walking speed.
• Broom of Flying: Provides a flying speed of 50 feet. It has a carrying capacity limit.
• Horseshoes of Speed: Increase a creature’s walking speed by 30 feet. This only applies to horses or similar mounts.
• Carpet of Flying: A larger and stronger version of the Broom of Flying.
• Amulet of the Drunkard: While under the effects of alcohol, you gain a speed increase of 5 feet.

6. Conditions and Terrain

Remember that conditions and terrain can affect your speed. Heavy armor can reduce speed if you lack the required strength. Difficult terrain halves your movement, making it essential to find ways to overcome it. Certain spells and abilities can mitigate these effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum speed a character can achieve in 5e?

While there’s no hard limit, a Monk with the Mobile feat, Wood Elf heritage, Haste spell, and Boots of Speed could achieve an incredibly high speed. This can be further increased with the dash action. The theoretical maximum is absurdly high.

2. Does rage increase speed in 5e?

The base Barbarian class features do not inherently increase speed. However, certain subclasses, like the Elk Totem Warrior, grant speed increases under specific conditions. The Zealot Barbarian can move up to half their speed as part of the bonus action to enter Rage.

3. How is speed determined in D&D 5e?

Speed is primarily determined by your race. Some races have a base speed of 25 feet, others 30 feet, and some, like Wood Elves, have 35 feet. Class features, spells, and magic items can then modify this base speed.

4. Can a Barbarian wear armor?

Yes, Barbarians can wear armor. However, wearing medium or heavy armor negates the benefit of their Unarmored Defense class feature, which relies on Dexterity and Constitution.

5. What’s the difference between walking speed and movement?

Your walking speed is your base speed, the distance you can move in a round. Movement is the actual distance you travel, which can be modified by actions (like Dashing), terrain, or other effects.

6. Does difficult terrain affect flying speed?

No, difficult terrain typically does not affect flying speed unless specifically stated.

7. Can I stack multiple speed bonuses?

Generally, yes, you can stack speed bonuses from different sources. However, be mindful of any specific rules or limitations.

8. How does the Dash action work?

The Dash action allows you to move up to your speed again in the same turn. Effectively, it doubles your movement for that turn.

9. What is travel pace in D&D 5e?

Travel pace determines how far a party can travel in a given day. It’s affected by factors like terrain, weather, and the party’s speed.

10. Does being mounted affect speed?

Yes, when mounted, you use the mount’s speed instead of your own. Horseshoes of Speed can further increase a mount’s speed.

11. How does grappling affect movement speed?

When you are grappled, your speed becomes 0, unless the creature grappling you has a speed lower than 0.

12. Can I use multiple bonus actions to Dash?

No, you can only take one bonus action per turn, unless a specific feature or spell allows otherwise.

13. Is there a penalty for moving through an enemy’s space?

Yes, moving through an enemy’s space counts as difficult terrain, costing you extra movement.

14. How do I calculate travel time with increased speed?

Use online calculators or reference the travel pace rules in the Player’s Handbook. Remember to factor in terrain and other modifiers.

15. Where can I learn more about D&D mechanics and strategy?

Explore resources like the Dungeon Master’s Guide, Player’s Handbook, and online communities dedicated to D&D. Additionally, you can find valuable insights into learning and education through games at the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion: Embrace the Zoom!

Increasing your speed in D&D 5e is about more than just moving faster. It’s about enhancing your tactical options, creating memorable moments, and ultimately, having more fun at the table. So, experiment with different combinations of races, classes, feats, spells, and magic items to find the perfect speed build for your character. Now get out there and leave your enemies in the dust!