How Many Attacks Does Haste Give You?
The question of how many attacks Haste grants in the popular tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), is a common point of confusion, primarily because of the way Haste interacts with the core action economy. The simple answer is: Haste allows you to make one additional weapon attack on your turn, not multiple. It provides a single extra action that can only be used to take the Attack action, and that Attack action is limited to one weapon attack. This is critical to understand because it doesn’t stack in the way some might imagine.
Understanding the Haste Action
The spell Haste bestows a range of powerful benefits upon its target. It doubles the target’s speed, grants a +2 bonus to Armor Class (AC), gives advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and provides an additional action on each of its turns. However, this extra action is where the nuance lies.
The Limitations of Haste’s Extra Action
The most common misunderstanding comes from the phrase “an additional action”. It’s not a full second action that replicates your normal turn’s capabilities. The additional action gained from Haste is limited to only the Attack action (with the constraint of making only one weapon attack), a Dash action, a Disengage action, a Hide action, or a Use an Object action. Specifically, it cannot be used to cast a spell, use a class feature with a specific action type, or perform any other type of action that is not listed. This restriction is fundamental when planning your turns, especially for characters built around using many attacks or casting multiple spells.
Haste and Multiattack
The interaction between Haste and the Multiattack feature of some monsters or player characters often raises eyebrows. Haste provides one additional Attack action. So, a creature with a Multiattack feature normally allowing, say, three attacks, would instead have a total of two Attack actions on a hasted turn; one standard, one from Haste. They could use the normal Attack action to use their full Multiattack, then they could make one attack with their hasted Attack action.
Haste and Extra Attack Features
Characters with the Extra Attack feature from certain classes, such as Fighters or Rangers, can also become confused when Hasted. The crucial point to remember is Haste does NOT grant another Extra Attack. If a character with the Extra Attack feature takes the Attack action, they can attack multiple times as per that feature. However, Haste grants an additional action that can be used only to make a single weapon attack, even though they could take multiple when using their normal Attack action.
Haste and Action Economy
Consider a character who has an Action, Bonus Action, and Movement, as normal. When hasted, they get the extra action we discussed previously. With a clear understanding of the limitations of the Haste spell, one can optimize their turns effectively, knowing that you cannot replicate your full action capabilities through Haste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Haste and Attacks
1. Can you attack four times with Haste if you normally attack twice?
No. Haste gives an extra action limited to one attack, so a character who can normally attack twice can attack three times at the most on their turn with Haste active.
2. Can you use the hasted action to cast a cantrip?
No. The extra action granted by Haste cannot be used to cast any spells, including cantrips. It’s restricted to specific actions like a single Attack, Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object.
3. Does Haste allow you to Sneak Attack twice in a turn?
No. Sneak Attack is limited to once per turn, regardless of how many attacks you make. Therefore, Haste does not grant an additional Sneak Attack in the same turn. However, you can use sneak attack on other turns if the normal Sneak Attack requirements are met.
4. Does Haste stack with Action Surge?
Yes. Haste and Action Surge can stack. They each provide an additional action, though Haste has restrictions on how that action can be used, while Action Surge does not. This combination can be powerful for specific combat situations.
5. Can you Dash twice with Haste?
Yes. The extra action from Haste can be used to Dash, so you can Dash twice in a turn, in addition to your normal movement. You also have a doubled movement speed which can stack for massive distances covered.
6. Does Haste increase damage?
No, Haste does not directly increase damage dealt. Its benefits are primarily in the form of increased movement speed, AC bonus, saving throws, and an extra action for specific attack options.
7. Can a Hasted creature multiattack twice?
No. Haste allows an additional action to take one weapon attack or a limited subset of other actions. A creature with the Multiattack feature that is hasted can use their Attack action as normal and do their full Multiattack. They can then use the extra action from haste to take one additional weapon attack.
8. Does Haste affect reactions?
No. Haste does not affect reactions. It only impacts actions, movement, and specific saving throws and AC.
9. How does Haste interact with Extra Attack features?
Haste grants one additional Attack action, limited to one attack. It does not grant an additional Extra Attack. A character with Extra Attack can use their main action to attack multiple times, but they will only get one additional attack from Haste.
10. Can you use a bonus action attack with Haste?
Yes, Haste doesn’t interfere with bonus actions. As long as you meet the requirements for the bonus action attack (such as Polearm Master), you can use a bonus action for that even if you used your action and haste action to attack, in the same turn.
11. Does Haste counter Slow?
Yes, to a certain extent. If a character is affected by the Slow spell, casting Haste on them will not hasten them. They will just return to their normal speed and functionality. Similarly, being Slowed will cancel the Haste effect if the affected person fails their saving throw against the Slow spell.
12. Does Haste allow a flying creature to fly faster?
Yes. Haste specifically calls out that all forms of movement, including flying speed, are doubled. However, flying is still affected by armor weight and checks.
13. Can Haste be used to help mine faster in a game with those types of mechanics?
Yes. In games that use speed enhancements in building or other similar systems, Haste can increase the speed of those mechanics such as mining. This depends on the specific game rules.
14. Is Haste suboptimal in D&D 5e?
While Haste is a powerful spell, its potential can sometimes be overstated. Some argue it’s suboptimal due to the lethargy effect when the spell ends and the action limitations. In certain scenarios and character builds, other spells may be more effective.
15. How long does Haste last?
Haste lasts for 1 minute, or 10 rounds, unless it is broken before then by a specific effect. After that it the creature becomes lethargic as noted in the spell. This can be important when managing spell slots and time management in combat.
Understanding the nuances of the Haste spell is essential for any D&D 5e player. It is a powerful spell, but its usefulness is greatly dependent on the specific character, build, and situation. Be sure to understand the rules to get the best out of this spell.