Editing Speed

{{About|This article refers to the movement of creatures in combat. For the movement of heroes on the adventure map, see [[movement]].}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 0 0 1em; float:right;"
|+ '''Verbal descriptions of speed values'''
|- 
! Value
! Description
|-
| 3 || very slow
|-
| 4 || extra slow
|-
| 5 || slow
|-
| 6 || swift
|-
| 7 || extra swift
|-
| 8 || very swift
|-
| 9 || ultra swift
|-
| 10 || super swift
|-
| 11 || quick
|-
| 12 || extra quick
|-
| 13 || very quick
|-
| 14 || ultra quick
|-
| 15 || super quick
|-
| 16 || fast
|-
| 17 || extra fast
|-
| 18 || very fast
|-
| 19 || ultra fast
|-
| 21 || blazing fast
|} '''Speed''' (or sometimes '''movement''') is a statistic of [[creature]]s. The speed value determines how many [[hex]]es the creature can move in a fight on a [[battlefield]]. The speed value also determines the initiative of the creature (the order in which creatures move during a battle). Additionally, the speed value of the slowest creature in a hero's army affects the hero's [[movement]] points on the [[Adventure Map]].

The fastest creature in {{hommroe}} is the [[Archangel]] with a speed of 18. In the first [[expansion]] {{ab}} and later in {{sod}}, the fastest creature is [[Conflux]]'s [[Phoenix]] with a speed of 21. The slowest creatures with a speed of 3 are [[Dendroid Guard]]s, [[Dwarf|Dwarves]], [[Stone Golem]]s and [[Walking Dead]]. Additionally, the {{ab}} expansion introduced [[Peasant]]s, who have a speed of three. The verbal descriptions are listed in the table on the right. Curiously enough, none of the creatures have a speed value of 20 which would be described as ''super fast''.

[[War machine]]s have a speed of 0, which means that they cannot move during combat and typically act last in each round of a battle. However, their speed value does not affect the hero's movement points.

== Speed as initiative ==
Speed determines the initiative of creatures. A high speed value means high initiative, which means that the creature will move before creatures with smaller speed values (slower creatures). If two or more creatures on different sides of engaging armies have the same speed value, the creature on the army which did not have the latest chance to act will act first. If it is the beginning of the battle, the attacker will have the initiative. Within each army, the unit that started (before [[tactics phase]]) nearest to the top of the screen (more left in the hero's army), will move first.

== Speed modifiers ==
There are several modifiers that can affect creatures' speed values during combat. Modifiers that affect speed throughout the combat and which cannot be cancelled are terrain, artifact and hero specialty modifiers. Additionally, spells can have increasing or decreasing effects on creatures' speed values. Creatures fighting on their [[native terrain]] receive +1 to their speed (and +1 to both [[attack]] and [[defense]] skill). There are three artifacts that affect the speed of all creature's in a hero's army:
* [[Cape of Velocity]] gives +2 to speed
* [[Necklace of Swiftness]] gives +1 to speed
* [[Ring of the Wayfarer]] gives +1 to speed.

Many heroes have a creature specialty, which gives one specific creature type (and their upgraded version) in a hero's army +1 to speed during combat. For example, [[Edric]] the knight has [[Griffin]]s as his special ability, which means that [[Griffin and Royal Griffin|Griffins and Royal Griffins]] fighting in Edric's army receive +1 to speed increasing the Griffins' speed to 7 and the Royal Griffins' speed to 10. Additionally, [[Sir Mullich]] has speed as his hero specialty which means that all creatures in his army receive +2 to their speed values during combat (in {{hota}} Sir Mullich is banned by default for balance reasons).

Three spells can affect the speed of creatures: [[Haste]], [[Slow]] and [[Prayer]]. These spells affect the speed as follows:
* Haste
** +3 to speed for a single creature stack with Basic [[Air Magic]]
** +5 to speed for a single creature stack with Advanced Air Magic
** +5 to speed for all allied creature stacks with Expert Air Magic
* Slow
** reduces speed for single creature stack by -25% rounded up with Basic [[Earth Magic]]
** reduces speed for single creature stack by -50% rounded up with Advanced Earth Magic
** reduces speed for all enemy creature stacks by -50% rounded up with Expert Earth Magic
* Prayer
** +2 to speed for a single creature stack with Basic [[Water Magic]]
** +4 to speed for a single creature stack with Advanced Water Magic
** +4 to speed for all allied creatures stacks with Expert Water Magic
Note: Prayer also gives bonuses to attack and defense.

Additionally, [[Brissa]], [[Cyra]] and [[Terek]] have Haste as their hero specialty, which means that they can cast Haste with increased effect, based on their level compared to the level of the target creature stack. [[Loynis]] has Prayer as specialty, which works in a similar way. There is no hero that has Slow as their specialty.
* Haste or Prayer specialty
** +3 to creatures on level 1–2
** +2 to creatures on level 3–4
** +1 to creatures on level 5–6
** No additional bonus for creatures on level 7.

In the best case, the maximum speed bonus from all these modifiers is +16, or +7 in the first round of combat before the spells can be cast. A stack of Phoenixes led by Sir Mullich on their native terrain and with the best magical help available would therefore get a speed of 37. In similarly favourable conditions, the slow Dendroid Guards would get a speed of 19, making them tied with [[Azure Dragon]]s or [[Archangel]]s (which have the same native terrain).
Heroes with a specialty in [[Haste]] or [[Prayer]] can potentially give more movement than Sir Mullich to low-tier creatures (level 1 or 2), and equal him for mid-tier creatures (level 3-4). A stack of [[Sprite]]s, [[Obsidian Gargoyle]]s, or [[Harpy Hag]]s, with expert Haste and Prayer cast by Brissa, Cyra, Loynis or Terek, will have their speed increased from 9 to 21. With the three speed artifacts and the native terrain bonus, they reach 26.

==Fast unit chart==
Listing only units allowing maximum [[movement]] (Speed of 11+):
{| class="wikitable"
!Speed!!Units
|-
!11
|[[Devil]], [[Master Genie]], [[Red Dragon]], [[Scorpicore]], [[Thunderbird]], [[Titan]], [[Wyvern Monarch]], [[Ayssid]]{{-wh}}, [[Couatl]]{{-wh}}
|-
!12
|[[Angel]], [[Silver Pegasus]], [[Haspid]]{{-wh}}
|-
!13
|[[Dragon Fly]], [[Efreet Sultan]]
|-
!14
|[[Ghost Dragon]]
|-
!15
|[[Black Dragon]], [[Faerie Dragon]], [[Firebird]], [[Crimson Couatl]]{{-wh}}
|-
!16
|[[Crystal Dragon]], [[Gold Dragon]]
|-
!17
|[[Arch Devil]], [[Rust Dragon]]
|-
!18
|[[Archangel]]
|-
!19
|[[Azure Dragon]]
|-
!20
|&mdash;
|-
!21
|[[Phoenix]]
|}

==Unit speed table==
{| style="{{Shadow}}"
|- style="text-shadow: 1px 1px 0px lightgray;"
! Town !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7
|- style="background-color: #{{grass}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Castle|noname=}}
| {{cn|Pikeman|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Halberdier|noname=}} 5&nbsp;
| {{cn|Archer|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Marksman |noname=}} 6&nbsp;
| {{cn|Griffin|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Royal Griffin |noname=}} 9&nbsp;
| {{cn|Swordsman|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Crusader|noname=}} 6&nbsp;
| {{cn|Monk|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Zealot|noname=}} 7&nbsp;
| {{cn|Cavalier|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Champion|noname=}} 9&nbsp;
| {{cn|Angel|noname=}} 12 {{cn|Archangel|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">18</span>&nbsp;
|- style="background-color: #{{grass}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Rampart|noname=}}
| {{cn|Centaur|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Centaur Captain|noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Dwarf|noname=}} 3 {{cn|Battle Dwarf |noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Wood Elf|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Grand Elf|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Pegasus|noname=}} 8 {{cn|Silver Pegasus|noname=}} <span style="color: gold;">12</span>
| {{cn|Dendroid Guard|noname=}} 3 {{cn|Dendroid Soldier|noname=}} 4
| {{cn|Unicorn|noname=}} 7 {{cn|War Unicorn|noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Green Dragon|noname=}} 10 {{cn|Gold Dragon|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">16</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{snow}}; text-shadow: 1px 1px 0px lightgray;"
! {{town|Tower|noname=}}
| {{cn|Gremlin|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Master Gremlin|noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Stone Gargoyle|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Obsidian Gargoyle|noname=}} <span style="color: gold;">9</span>
| {{cn|Stone Golem |noname=}} 3 {{cn|Iron Golem |noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Mage|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Arch Mage|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Genie|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Master Genie|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Green 2}};">11</span>
| {{cn|Naga|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Naga Queen|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Giant|noname=}} 7&ensp; {{cn|Titan|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">11</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{lava}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Inferno|noname=}}
| {{cn|Imp|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Familiar|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Gog|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Magog|noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Hell Hound |noname=}} 7 {{cn|Cerberus|noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Demon|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Horned Demon|noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Pit Fiend |noname=}} 6 {{cn|Pit Lord|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Efreeti|noname=}} 9 {{cn|Efreet Sultan|noname=}} <span style="color: gold;">13</span>
| {{cn|Devil|noname=}} 11 {{cn|Arch Devil|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">17</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{dirt}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Necropolis|noname=}}
| {{cn|Skeleton|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Skeleton Warrior|noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Walking Dead|noname=}} 3 {{cn|Zombie|noname=}} 4
| {{cn|Wight|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Wraith|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Vampire|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Vampire Lord|noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Lich|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Power Lich|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Black Knight|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Dread Knight|noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Bone Dragon |noname=}} 9&ensp; {{cn|Ghost Dragon|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">14</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{underground}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Dungeon|noname=}}
| {{cn|Troglodyte|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Infernal Troglodyte|noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Harpy|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Harpy Hag |noname=}} <span style="color: gold;">9</span>
| {{cn|Beholder|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Evil Eye |noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Medusa|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Medusa Queen |noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Minotaur|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Minotaur King |noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Manticore|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Scorpicore|noname=}} 11
| {{cn|Red Dragon |noname=}} 11 {{cn|Black Dragon|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">15</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{rough}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Stronghold|noname=}}
| {{cn|Goblin|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Hobgoblin|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Wolf Rider|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Wolf Raider |noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Orc|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Orc Chieftain |noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Ogre|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Ogre Mage|noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Roc|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Thunderbird|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Green 2}};">11</span>
| {{cn|Cyclops|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Cyclops King|noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Behemoth|noname=}} 6&ensp; {{cn|Ancient Behemoth|noname=}} 9
|- style="background-color: #{{swamp}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Fortress|noname=}}
| {{cn|Gnoll|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Gnoll Marauder |noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Lizardman|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Lizard Warrior |noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Serpent Fly |noname=}} 9 {{cn|Dragon Fly |noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Green 2}};">13</span>
| {{cn|Basilisk|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Greater Basilisk|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Gorgon|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Mighty Gorgon |noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Wyvern|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Wyvern Monarch |noname=}} 11
| {{cn|Hydra|noname=}} 5&ensp; {{cn|Chaos Hydra|noname=}} 7
|- style="background-color: #{{highlands}}; color: white;"
! {{town|Conflux|noname=}}
| {{cn|Pixie|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Sprite|noname=}} <span style="color: gold;">9</span>
| {{cn|Air Elemental |noname=}} 7 {{cn|Storm Elemental |noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Water Elemental |noname=}} 5 {{cn|Ice Elemental |noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Fire Elemental |noname=}} 6 {{cn|Energy Elemental |noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Earth Elemental |noname=}} 4 {{cn|Magma Elemental |noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Psychic Elemental|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Magic Elemental |noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Firebird|noname=}} 15 {{cn|Phoenix|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Green 2}};">21</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{swamp}}; color: white;" valign="top"
! {{town|Cove|noname=}}
| {{cn|Nymph|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Oceanid|noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Crew Mate |noname=}} 5 {{cn|Seaman|noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Pirate|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Corsair|noname=}} 7<br/> {{cn|Sea Dog|noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Stormbird|noname=}} 9 {{cn|Ayssid|noname=}} 11
| {{cn|Sea Witch |noname=}} 6 {{cn|Sorceress|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Nix|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Nix Warrior |noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Sea Serpent |noname=}} 9&ensp; {{cn|Haspid|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">12</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{wasteland}}; color: white;" valign="top"
! {{town|Factory|noname=}}
| {{cn|Halfling (Factory)|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Halfling Grenadier|noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Mechanic|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Engineer|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Armadillo|noname=}} 4 {{cn|Bellwether Armadillo|noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Automaton|noname=}} 8 {{cn|Sentinel Automaton|noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Sandworm|noname=}} 8 {{cn|Olgoi-Khorkhoi|noname=}} 10
| {{cn|Gunslinger|noname=}} 7 {{cn|Bounty Hunter|noname=}} 8
| {{cn|Dreadnought|noname=}} 6&ensp; {{cn|Juggernaut|noname=}} 7<br/>{{cn|Couatl|noname=}} 11 {{cn|Crimson Couatl|noname=}} <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">15</span>
|- style="background-color: #{{dirt}}; color: white;" valign="top"
! {{town|Neutral|noname=}}
| {{cn|Peasant|noname=}} 3 {{cn|Halfling|noname=}} 5
| {{cn|Leprechaun|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Rogue|noname=}} 6<br/>{{cn|Boar|noname=}} 6
| {{cn|Mummy|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Nomad|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Steel Golem|noname=}} 6 {{cn|Satyr|noname=}} 7<br/>{{cn|Sharpshooter|noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Gold Golem|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Fangarm|noname=}} 6<br/>{{cn|Troll|noname=}} 7
| {{cn|Diamond Golem|noname=}} 5 {{cn|Enchanter|noname=}} 9
| {{cn|Faerie Dragon|noname=}} 15 {{cn|Crystal Dragon|noname=}} 16<br/>{{cn|Rust Dragon|noname=}} 17 {{cn|Azure Dragon|noname=}} 19
|}
* <span style="color: gold;">Gold:</span> The fastest creature for the given tier.
* <span style="color: #{{Blue 2}};">Blue:</span> The fastest creature for the given faction.
* <span style="color: #{{Green 2}};">Green:</span> Creatures that are both the fastest for their tier and for their faction.

== See also ==
* [[Combat#Order in Combat|Order in combat]]

[[Category: Combat]]
__NOTOC__