Is Speed Useful?

[Krel]

From the SRD:

When making a full attack action, the wielder of a speed weapon may make one extra attack with it. The attack uses the wielder’s full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This benefit is not cumulative with similar effects, such as a haste spell.)

Moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, haste; Price +3 bonus.


What do you think of this property? Is it a complete waste?

In my case, we have a sorcerer that can cast haste, but he's not always there. Would Boots of Speed compensate for his absence, or should I go with the speed property?

 

[Crothian]

Speed property is all the time, so it depends on how often you get into fights.

 

[Musrum]

It is overpriced. A well built warrior type can get extra attacks from other places.

 

[Krel]

It is overpriced. A well built warrior type can get extra attacks from other places.

Like say, boots of speed? Or, the spell Haste? Or is there more? I'm 15th level, by the way.

 

[frankthedm]

Enlarge potions help get AoOs.

Speed on your sword is useful, but pricey.

 

[Felix]

I'd rather have an Acidic, Flaming, Frost weapon than a weapon of Speed.

Or a Ghost Touch, Throwing, Returning Greataxe.

Or a Holy, Evil-Outsider Bane Bastardsword.

There's a whole lot you can do with +3 equivalent that Speed just can't match.

 

[airwalkrr]

Is Speed Useful?

It is the night before finals.

 

[Felix]

It is the night before finals.

Or when the house needs a thorough cleaning.

 

[Sejs]

It's expensive, taking up space in an otherwise limited resource, and the benefit it gives can be gained in other ways. Boots, friendly spellcaster, etc. Personally I'd give it a pass.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

If, for some reason, you can't use boots of speed, speed becomes a much more valuable enhancement. For instance, a character set up with steadfast boots, a ranseur, combat reflexes, and hold the line. The steadfast boots are an important part of the character's anti-charging setup and preclude the use of boots of speed. That character might find the speed enhancement on his ranseur worth the price. In general, however, a character is better off having boots of speed and a holy, ghost touch weapon (or some other +3 ability combo). Unless you have a really efficient boot slot item, it's cheaper and more effective to use the boots for speed and have other abilities on your weapon.

Note that found weapons change the equation somewhat since the choice between keeping the +1 speed longsword and selling it is not the same as whether to spend 32,000 on a +1 speed or a +1 holy ghost touch longsword. Rather, it's to sell the sword for 16,000gp and cough up another 2000gp to have a +1 holy (or other +2 enhancement) longsword or to keep the +1 speed longsword. Even in that situation, the choice doesn't obviously resolve itself in favor of the speed enhancement, but it does look a lot better.