The Need for Speed

Speed is a controlling attribute for some weapon and specialty skills, such as Critical Strike or Pickpocket. Speed increases the number of physical attacks and the number of times a character will wield their weapon during those attacks. It determines who will move first during a combat round. It can even improve the armor class of characters once it has reached a certain level. 

1. No we do not. So how can we offset this need for speed without giving up attribute points that might be best used elsewhere? Some options are available.
1. Using items during combat that cast a Haste spell such as the Ankh of Speed and the Ivory Blade. 
2. A Haste potion or scroll which affects the entire party, or a Superman potion which affects an individual can be used. 
3. Include a Psionic, Bishop, or Monk in the party who can cast a Haste spell or employ a Bard to play a rousing tune upon their drums. 
4. Even including a profession that only makes use of the Divinity skill such as the Priest, Lord, or Valkyrie who can cast a Superman spell on individuals can ease the demand for individual Speed development.
2. If a character requires or we desire the benefit of the expert skill Snakespeed for any individual, then yes we do. 
1. Truly the only professions you may want to spend attribute points on Speed for are the magic users or a Bard who will be casting Protection or Haste spells on the party during combat. You definitely want spells like Elemental Shield, Soul Shield, and Haste in place before your opponents have the opportunity to use their magic against you and the second round of combat commences.

• Things to note:
• The calculations during combat for skill increases with Speed as a controlling attribute will be based on the modified Speed attribute.
• When Superman spells are used all attributes, not just Speed, are enhanced by the spell. All skill increase calculations will be made on these modified attributes during combat.
• Caution: There is a bug associated with the Speed attribute which occurs when a high level Superman and Haste spell are in effect at the same time on an individual. Speed wraps around from the 125 maximum back to an extremely low value, usually 0 or 1.
• Forewarning: There are a few areas in the game where magic use is not allowed or will be restricted in such a way that a Haste spell will not be usable from any source.

Haste and Superman spells add 10 points to the Speed attribute per spell level. The maximum is 70 for a level 7 spell. If you plan to use a Haste or Superman spell regularly then the character's Speed attribute need only be raised to a minimum of 55 to achieve the maximum allowance of 125. If both spells are planned for regular use beware of the wrap around bug.

If items or potions are to be used regularly to enhance Speed you must view their spell level and adjust your minimum Speed requirement for individuals accordingly. The Haste potion is a power level 5 (+50),  all others are power level 3 (+30).

This 55 minimum can also be reduced if a character uses equipment that gives a bonus to Speed. Some examples of Speed enhancing items would be: (View the individual item page for further details on where these items are found or purchased and any race/profession restrictions)
 

• Ankh of Speed +10
• Elven Bow +15 (W7 Import only)
• Fey Ring +10
• Mantis Boots +5
• Oberon's Greaves +10
• Snakeskin Boots +10
• Thieves Buckler +10
• Winged Boots +10

Bear in mind a few of the above mentioned items may not remain equipped all the time. Items such as the bow and buckler may be swapped to make use of the character's alternate equipment for combat situations.