What is Attack Speed?

Attack Speed is a stat in Diablo 4 (D4) that describes the number of attacks your character can deal out per second. Read on to learn more about attack speed, how to increase it, and sources of attack speed!

What is Attack Speed?

Rate of Attack Per Second

Attack Speed is the stat that determines how fast you can cast your skills. This affects every castable skill within the skill tree, with the exception of channeling skills. Always keep this stat in consideration, as it can greatly influence your overall damage output.

Note that the Attack Speed bonus caps at a total of 200%.

How to Increase Attack Speed

Use One-Handed Weapons

One of the simplest ways to increase your attack speed is by using One-Handed weapons that are compatible with your class. One-Handed weapons have weaker damage stats than Two-handed weapons but compensate through faster base attack speed.

One-Handed weapons come with an Off-Hand or another One-Handed weapon, which contains its own Attack Speed. To get your total Attack Speed, simply get the average of both weapons.

Equip Stats that Gives Attack Speed

Another great way to get additional Attack Speed is through certain Affixes and Aspects. Most of these are conditional, so make sure they will fit your needs before slotting them in.

Acquire Attack Speed Increasing Skills

All classes have Skills and Specialization that increases Attack Speed. These skills vary and favor certain synergies, which can make them limited to specific builds.

Utilize Seasonal Mechanics

Every new season, the game introduces new seasonal mechanics, which can take your builds to the next level. Often times, these power-ups include something that can directly improve your Attack Speed!

List of Seasons: How Do Seasons Work?

Other Sources of Attack Speed

Attack Speed Affixes

Attack Speed Aspect

General Aspect

Aspect	Effect and How to Get
Accelerating Aspect (Offensive)	Critical Strikes with Core Skills increase your Attack Speed by (15-25)% for 5 seconds.
Rapid Aspect (Offensive)	How to Get: Buried Halls (Dungeon Clear) Basic skills gain (15-30)% Attack Speed.

Necromancer Aspect

Aspect	Effect and How to Get
Aspect of Frenzied Dead (Offensive)	Each time one of your Summoning Minions damages an enemy, they gain (10-14)% Attack Speed for 3 seconds, up to (30-42)%.
Aspect of Rathma’s Chosen (Offensive)	Whenever your Blood Skills Overpower you gain (20-50)% Attack Speed for 4 seconds.

Sorcerer Aspect

Aspect	Effect and How to Get
Aspect of Ancient Flame (Offensive)	While both bonuses from the Esu’s Ferocity Key Passive are active, your Attack Speed is increased by (40-50)%.

Attack Speed Skills

Barbarian Skills

Skill	Effect
Duelist	Attack Speed is increased by XX% while using One-Handed weapons.
Frenzy	Unleash a rapid flurry of blows, dealing XX% damage with each pair of hits. If Frenzy hits an enemy, its Attack Speed is increased by 20% for 3 seconds, up to 60%.
Walking Arsenal	Dealing direct damage with a Two- Handed Bludgeoning, Two-Handed Slashing, or Dual Wielded weapons grants 8% increased damage for 10 seconds. While all three damage bonuses are active, you gain an additional 10% increased Damage and Attack Speed.

Druid Skills

Skill	Effect
Bestial Rampage	After being a Werewolf for 2.5 seconds, gain 25% Attack Speed for 15 seconds. After being a Werebear for 2.5 seconds, deal 30% increased damage for 15 seconds.

Necromancer Skills

Skill	Effect
Inspiring Leader	After you have been Healthy for at least 2 seconds, you and your Minions gain XX% Attack Speed.
Kalan's Edict	After you have not taken damage in the last 2 seconds, your Minions gain 15% Attack Speed, While you have at least 7 Minions, this bonus is doubled.

Rogue Skills

Skill	Effect
Alchemical Advantage	Dealing Poison damage increases your Attack Speed and Lucky Hit Chance by 1% for 8 seconds, up to 5%.
Close Quarters Combat	Damaging a Close enemy with Marksman or Cutthroat Skills each grant a 10% Attack Speed bonus for 8 seconds. While both Attack Speed bonuses are active, your damage dealt is increased by 40% of the total amount of your Damage vs Crowd Controlled bonus.
Haste	While at or above 50% maximum Energy, gain XX% increased Movement Speed. While below 50% maximum Energy, gain XX% increased Attack Speed.

Attack Speed Vampiric Powers

Vampiric Power Cost	Effect
Ravenous 3 0 0	Lucky Hit: Up to a 20% chance to increase your Attack Speed by 40% of your Total Movement Speed for 6 seconds.
Moonrise 6 0 0	Hitting an enemy with a Basic Skill grants you 4% Attack Speed for 10 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Upon reaching maximum stacks, you enter a Vampiric Bloodrage, gaining 160% Basic Skill damage and 15% Movement Speed for 10 seconds.

Note that Vampiric Powers are only available in Season 2.

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