Movement Speed
This article is about speed at which characters move. For general mobility, see Movement Speed refers to the distance a character travels over a period of time, relative to the ground, by using the movement keys or movement actions.
Base speed[edit]
Movement Speed can be expressed in units per second (u/s). Forward motion is fastest, and can be increased by various bonuses. Entering combat reduces this speed by about 30%. Forward speed is used whenever the forward key is held, including when holding e.g. forward and right simultaneously.
Sideways or backward motion is much slower than forward motion and both are unaffected by movement speed increases and/or being in combat. The backpedaling speed is used whenever the backward key is pressed, including when holding e.g. backward and right simultaneously.
| Direction | Out of combat (u/s) |
In combat (u/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | 294 | 210 |
| Strafing | 180 | 180 |
| Backpedaling | 105 | 105 |
| Cap | 400 | 400 |
Walking speed is 80 units per second in all directions, both in combat and out of combat. The terminal velocity when falling is 1024 u/s unmounted.
Movement speed bonuses and debuffs[edit]
Most movement speed increases do not stack with each other—only the greatest value takes effect. For example, a character under the effect of Signet of Air (+25%) and swiftness (+33%) will only move 33% faster. Maximum movement speed is universally capped at 400 units per second; this translates to 136% of base out-of-combat speed, but 190% of base in-combat speed. As such, the capped movement speed can be achieved out-of-combat with a mere 40% movement speed increase, whereas in-combat this requires a 100% increase i.e. Superspeed. Superspeed only makes use of its full 100% increase while in combat.
Debuffs like Crippled (-50%) and Chilled (-66%) subtract from the total move speed modifier, and Rising Momentum and swim-speed infusions add their effects on top of it. Thus, a character with swiftness, superspeed, a speed booster, a writ of speed, cripple, and one stack of Rising Momentum would have 100 (strongest bonus out of the first four effects) - 50 + 5 = 55% bonus speed, or 210 * 1.55 = 325.5 u/s.
Sideways and backward motion cannot be increased beyond their base levels by any effect, including Superspeed.
| Effect(s) | Bonus | Effective Speed |  Crippled |
 Chilled
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | +0% | 100% | 210.0 | 50% | 105.0 | 34% | 71.4 |
 Guild Swiftness Banner Boost |
+15% | 115% | 241.5 | 65% | 136.5 | 49% | 102.9 |
| Signet of Air | +25% | 125% | 262.5 | 75% | 157.5 | 59% | 123.9 |
 Leader of the Pact III |
+33% | 133% | 279.3 | 83% | 174.3 | 67% | 140.7 |
 Swiftness |
+33% | 133% | 279.3 | 83% | 174.3 | 67% | 140.7 |
 Blessing of Elements |
+40% | 140% | 294.0 | 90% | 189.0 | 74% | 155.4 |
| Impossible Odds | +50% | 150% | 315.0 | 100% | 210.0 | 84% | 176.4 |
 Relic of Speed with Swiftness |
+66% | 166% | 348.6 | 116% | 243.6 | 100% | 210.0 |
 Superspeed |
+100% | 190% | 400.0 | 150% | 315.0 | 134% | 281.4 |
Maximizing movement speed[edit]
The following example combinations of effects result in the maximum speed out of combat:
| Effect(s) | Bonus | Effective Speed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superspeed |
+100% | 136% | 400 |
| Relic of Speed with Swiftness |
+66% | 136% | 400 |
Swiftness with  Woven Stride |
+40% | 136% | 400 |
Swiftness + 1x  Rising Momentum |
+38% | 136% | 400 |
| Impossible Odds | +50% | 136% | 400 |
The following example combinations of effects result in the maximum speed in combat:
| Effect(s) | Bonus | Effective Speed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superspeed |
+100% | 190% | 400 |
| Relic of Speed with Swiftness + 5x Rising Momentum |
+91% | 190% | 400 |
| Impossible Odds + 8x Rising Momentum |
+90% | 190% | 400 |
Slopes[edit]
On a slope, the numbers above apply to the total speed (horizontal + vertical). As a consequence, the horizontal speed is lower.
Underwater[edit]
Underwater swimming speed is very similar to running speed on land. Base speeds and the effect of buffs like swiftness are the same in every direction. Swim-speed infusions provide an additive bonus to forward speed on top of most buffs, but are still subject to the 400 u/s speed cap. This means a +10 infusion and swiftness will hit the cap when out of combat, but even the +30 infusion increases speed in combat.
| Effect(s) | Bonus | Speed Out of Combat | Speed In Combat | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superspeed |
+100% | 136% | 400.0 | 190% | 400.0 |
 Swim-Speed Infusion +10 |
+10% | 110% | 323.4 | 110% | 231.0 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +15 |
+15% | 115% | 338.1 | 115% | 241.5 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +20 |
+20% | 120% | 352.8 | 120% | 252.0 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +25 |
+25% | 125% | 367.5 | 125% | 262.5 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +30 |
+30% | 130% | 382.2 | 130% | 273.0 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +10 + Swiftness |
+43% | 136% | 400.0 | 143% | 300.3 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +15 + Swiftness |
+48% | 136% | 400.0 | 148% | 310.8 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +20 + Swiftness |
+53% | 136% | 400.0 | 153% | 321.3 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +30 + Swiftness |
+63% | 136% | 400.0 | 163% | 342.3 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +24 + Relic of Speed with Swiftness |
+90% | 136% | 400.0 | 190% | 400.0 |
| Swim-Speed Infusion +10 + Impossible Odds + 6x Rising Momentum |
+90% | 136% | 400.0 | 190% | 400.0 |
Gliding[edit]
While gliding, the horizontal speed is 294 u/s, 80 u/s when leaning back, and 390 u/s when leaning forward. The vertical speed is around 113 u/s in any case.
Mounts[edit]
| Mount | Run Speed (u/s) | Backwards | Flying | Walking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raptor | 600 | 180 | 120 | |
| Springer | 575 | 180 | 126 | |
| Skimmer | 550 (land, underwater) 850 (water surface) |
200 | 250 | |
| Jackal | 625 | 140 | 125 | |
| Griffon | 500 | 130 | 624 (airborne) 1200 (dive lvl 1)[verification requested] 2000 (dive lvl 2) |
125 |
| Roller Beetle | 0-610 up to 1800 (boosting) up to 2500 (boosting and drifting)[1] |
65 | 61 | |
| Warclaw | 687 (PvE) 440 (WvW) |
130 | 172 (PvE) 110 (WvW) | |
| Skyscale | 500 | 130 | 600 (airborne) 300 (ascending) 650 (descending) |
125 |
| Siege Turtle | 382 (teal bar, unboosted) 588 (red bar, unboosted) 650 (with Overdrive) |
56 | 28 |
- Notes
- ^ see Roller Beetle Advanced drifting techniques for details.
Skiffs[edit]
| Mode | Speed (u/s) |
|---|---|
| Backwards | 147[note 1] |
| Slow Cruise | 300 |
| Moderate Clip | 600 |
| Full Throttle | 800 |
| Turbo Boost | 1000 |
- Notes
- ^ Unafected by "Skiff Supercharger #" service chips.
Related effects[edit]
| Effect | Change |
|---|---|
| Superspeed |
+100% |
| Relic of Speed with Swiftness |
+66% |
 Mist Form |
+66% |
 Woven Air |
+50% |
 Celeritas Spores |
+40% |
| Blessing of Elements |
+40% |
 Flame's Embrace |
+40% |
| Swiftness |
+33% |
| Leader of the Pact (I, II, III) |
+5%, +15%, +33% in major cities |
 Relic of the Wayfinder, out of combat |
+33% |
| Relic of the Wayfinder, in combat |
+25% |
| Speed boons |
+15% |
| Rising Momentum |
+5% for each point of active upkeep Stacks with other movement speed increases |
 Ferocious Symbiosis |
+5% per stack, up to 5 stacks Stacks with other movement speed increases[verification requested] |
 Aggressive Onslaught |
+33% Stacks with other movement speed increases |
 Hamstrung |
-1% for each 1% missing health (max of 70%) |
| Unseen Burden |
-1% for each stack up to 99 stacks |
 Ichor |
-33% |
| Crippled |
-50% |
| Chilled |
-66% |
 Quicksand |
-90% |
 Immobile |
Unable to move or turn. |
 Stun |
Unable to move or turn. |
Related skills[edit]
Weapon skills
Whirling Axe — Movement Speed Increase: 50%
Relentless Whirl — Movement Speed Increase: 50%
Frozen Fusillade — Movement Speed Increase: 33%
Impossible Odds — Movement Speed Increase: 50%
Shift Signet — Movement Speed Increase: 25%
"Sic 'Em!" — "Sic 'Em!" (10s): +40% Damage, +40% Movement Speed- Signet of the Hunt — Signet of the Hunt: +25% Movement Speed
Signet of Shadows — Movement Speed Increase: 25%- Mist Form — Movement Speed Increase: 66%
- Signet of Air — Signet of Air: +25% Movement Speed
Signet of the Locust — Movement Speed Increase: 25%
- Dagger Storm — Movement Speed Increase: 100%
Weave Self — Woven Air: +50% Movement Speed, +10% Damage; Perfect Weave (10s): +20% Boon Duration, +20% Healing Increase to Others, +20% Condition Damage, -20% Incoming Damage, +50% Movement Speed , +10% Damage
Common skills
- Eagle's Rush — Movement Speed Increase: 50%
- Overdrive — Movement Speed Increase: 10%
- Raven's Speed — Movement Speed Increase: 50%
Related traits[edit]
Traits that increase movement speed
Soaring Devastation (Dragonhunter) — Wings of Resolve delivers an attack upon landing. Movement speed is increased.
Righteous Sprint (Willbender) — Gain increased movement speed. Gain swiftness when you activate a virtue.
Rising Momentum (Herald) — Gain increased movement speed for each point of upkeep currently in use.-
Aggressive Onslaught (Strength) — Gain quickness when you disable an enemy. While you have quickness, your movement speed is increased. This stacks with other movement speed increases. -
Warrior's Sprint (Discipline) — Run faster while wielding melee weapons, and deal increased strike damage while you have swiftness. Movement skills break immobilization when used. -
Pet's Prowess (Beastmastery) — Your pet moves faster and deals more damage on critical hits. -
Ferocious Symbiosis (Untamed) — You and your pet grant each other increased damage and movement speed when striking enemies. When this triggers, it refreshes the duration of all stacks -
Zephyr's Speed (Air) — Your chance to critically strike is increased. While attuned to air, your movement speed is also increased. 
Time Marches On (Chronomancer) — You move 25% faster. The duration of incoming movement-impairing conditions is reduced by 25%.
Speed of Sand (Mirage) — Mirage Cloak increases your movement speed.
Related equipment[edit]
Relics[edit]
- Relic of Speed — Increase movement speed when under the effect of swiftness.
- Relic of the Wayfinder — Gain increased movement speed, which is further increased while out of combat. When you enter combat, gain a burst of speed.
Upgrade components[edit]
Superior Rune of the Traveler — Rank 6: +25% Movement Speed
Superior Rune of Surging — Rank 6: +25% Movement Speed
Superior Rune of Snowfall — Rank 6: +25% Movement Speed
Superior Rune of the Cavalier — Rank 6: +25% Movement Speed
Rune of the Lynx (PvP) — Rank 6: +25% Movement Speed (Currently only available in sPvP)
- Swim-Speed Infusion +10 — +30% underwater movement speed, stacks with other movement speed increases.
- Other
Prosperity Mine Kite - +5% speed increase, which raises to 33% during sandstorms.
Related consumables[edit]
Writ of Masterful Speed (+25% Movement Speed)
Writ of Studied Speed (+15% Movement Speed)
Writ of Basic Speed (+10% Movement Speed)
Swift Moa Feather (+10% Movement Speed)
See also[edit]
- Speed boons, a service provided by NPCs in major cities.
- Speed Booster, a Booster consumable that grants a separate 15% speed boost.
- Research on mount speeds can be found here.
- Mobility Skills that can be used for event foot races.
