Attack speed

Marth's attack speed exceeds the enemy Fighter's attack speed enough to allow him to perform a follow-up attack.

Attack speed (Japanese: 攻撃速度 attack speed), abbreviated AS (Japanese: 攻速), is a calculation based on a unit's speed which acts as their practical speed stat in battle. In all games until Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon, attack speed factors in the weight of a unit's weapon, simulating the bulk of heavier weapons encumbering them in battle more than lighter weapons, with the effect thereof in turn mitigated by a unit's strength or physical bulk in games from Thracia 776 onward.

The primary use of attack speed is to determine whether or not a unit is fast enough compared to their opponent to allow them to perform a follow-up attack (Japanese: 追撃 pursuit), more commonly known as "double attacking" or "doubling". In a battle, the two participants' mutual attack speed is compared, and if one unit meets a certain threshold of higher attack speed than the other, they are allowed to follow up against the opponent: to perform a second attack after both units have performed their first attacks.

Attack speed is also used in turn in a unit's avoid calculation, directly impacting a unit's ability to dodge oncoming attacks in conjunction with other factors, including terrain benefits and a unit's luck stat.

In Genealogy of the Holy War, attack speed can be negative. This is not true in any other games.

From New Mystery of the Emblem through Fates, weapon weight is not present and attack speed is calculated solely based on the speed of the two units.

Fates includes a similar mechanic known as effective speed. Unlike attack speed, effective speed only affects follow-up attacking, and can be one-sided. For example, steel weapons affect the wielder's ability to follow up, but not their foe's ability to follow up; as well, certain weapons such as Excalibur raise both the wielder's and the foe's ability to follow up.

In Fire Emblem Engage, attack speed is presented as the speed stat with a debuff from weapon weight.

Calculations

Attack speed

Game	Formula	Notes
Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light	Speed − Weapon weight	--
Gaiden	Speed − Weapon weight	--
Mystery of the Emblem	Speed − Weapon weight	--
Genealogy of the Holy War	Speed − Weapon weight	--
Thracia 776	Weapons: Speed − (Weapon weight − Constitution) Magic: Speed − Weight	--
The Binding Blade	Speed − (Weapon weight − Constitution)	(Weight − Con) has a minimum of 0.
The Blazing Blade	Speed − (Weapon weight − Constitution)	(Weight − Con) has a minimum of 0.
The Sacred Stones	Speed − (Weapon weight − Constitution)	(Weight − Con) has a minimum of 0.
Path of Radiance	Speed − (Weapon weight − Strength)	(Weight − Strength) has a minimum of 0.
Radiant Dawn	Speed − (Weapon weight − Strength)	(Weight − Strength) has a minimum of 0.
Shadow Dragon	Speed − (Weapon weight − Strength)	(Weight − Strength) has a minimum of 0.
New Mystery of the Emblem	Speed	--
Awakening	Speed	--
Fates	Speed ± (Weapon's effective speed modifier)	--
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia	Speed − Weapon weight	--
Three Houses	Speed − [ Weapon weight − (Strength / 5) ]	(Weight − (Strength / 5)) has a minimum of 0.
Engage	Speed − (Weapon weight − Build)	(Weight − Bld) has a minimum of 0.

Follow-up attack threshold

Game	Formula	Notes
Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light	(Unit's attack speed) > (target's attack speed)	--
Gaiden	(Unit's attack speed) > (target's attack speed)	--
Mystery of the Emblem	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 3	--
Genealogy of the Holy War	(Unit's attack speed) > (target's attack speed)	Only units with Follow-Up can make follow-up attacks.
Thracia 776	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
The Binding Blade	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
The Blazing Blade	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
The Sacred Stones	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
Path of Radiance	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
Radiant Dawn	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
Shadow Dragon	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
New Mystery of the Emblem	[(Unit's speed) − (target's speed)] ≥ 4	--
Awakening	[(Unit's speed) − (target's speed)] ≥ 5	--
Fates	[(Unit's speed) − (target's speed)] ≥ 5	With the skill Darting Blow or +5 effective speed on a weapon, only ≥ 1 speed is required. With +3 effective speed, ≥ 2 speed is required. Certain weapons, as well as the skill Wary Fighter, cannot make follow-up attacks. Weapons can also reduce effective speed, making it easier for foes to follow up.
Echoes: Shadows of Valentia	(Unit's attack speed) > (target's attack speed)	--
Three Houses	[(Unit's attack speed) − (target's attack speed)] ≥ 4	--
Engage	[(Unit's speed) − (target's speed)] ≥ 5	--

Avoid

Main article: Avoid

Game	Formula	Notes
Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light	Physical avoid: (Attack speed + Terrain bonus) Magical avoid: (Luck)	--
Gaiden	Physical avoid: (Attack speed + Terrain bonus) Magical avoid: (Speed + Luck)	--
Mystery of the Emblem	(Speed + Luck + Terrain bonus + Support bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Genealogy of the Holy War	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Authority bonus) + (Charm bonus) + (Lover bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0. In this game, Avoid can be negative, through the possibility of negative attack speed or through some tiles' avoid penalties.
Thracia 776	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus) + (Authority bonus) + (Charm bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
The Binding Blade	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
The Blazing Blade	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus) + Tactician bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
The Sacred Stones	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Path of Radiance	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus) + (Biorhythm bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Radiant Dawn	(Attack speed × 2) + (Luck) + (Terrain bonus) + (Buddy support bonus) + (Biorhythm bonus) + (Affinity bonus) + (Authority bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Shadow Dragon	(Attack speed) + (Luck / 2) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
New Mystery of the Emblem	(Speed) + (Luck / 2) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus) + (Class bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0. The class bonus is +10 for Swordmasters only.
Awakening	(Speed × 1.5) + (Luck / 2) + (Support/Dual bonus) + (Skill bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Fates	(Speed × 1.5) + (Luck / 2) + (Support/Dual bonus) + (Skill bonus) + (Class bonus)	Class bonus is +5 for Master Ninjas, and +10 for Lodestars, Nine-Tails, Swordmasters, Pegasus Knights, and Witches. If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Shadows of Valentia	Physical avoid: (Attack speed) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus) Magical avoid: [(Speed + Luck) / 2] + (Support bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Three Houses	Physical avoid: (Attack speed) + (Terrain bonus) + (Support bonus) + (Ability bonus) + (Equipment bonus) + (Battalion bonus) Magical avoid: [(Speed + Luck) / 2] + (Ability bonus) + (Equipment bonus) + (Battalion bonus)	If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.
Engage	Weapon avoid: (Speed × 2) + (Luck / 2) + (Terrain bonus × Class type bonus) + (Support bonus) + (Skill bonus) Staff avoid: [(Resistance × 3 + Luck) / 2] + (Terrain bonus × Class type bonus)	Class type bonus is 2 for Covert-type classes, 0 if the enemy is a Mystical-type class, 1 for all others. If any bonus is not relevant, the bonus in question is taken to be 0.

Items and skills affecting attack speed and follow-up attacks


Item	Effect	Games
All Ballistae	User cannot make follow-up attacks.	Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Mystery of the Emblem, Shadow Dragon, New Mystery of the Emblem
Swarm	User cannot make follow-up attacks.	Shadow Dragon, New Mystery of the Emblem
Mire	User cannot make follow-up attacks (except in Double Duel).	Awakening
All Raider weapons, Parallel Falchion, Lucina's Estoc	Treats user as having +3 Spd when determining if they can make a follow-up attack.	Fates
All Steel weapons, Selena's Blade, Pine Branch, Oboro's Spear, Rinkah's Club, Malevolent Text, Ragnell, Ike's Backup	Treats user as having -3 Spd when determining if they can make a follow-up attack.	Fates
Umbrella, Kodachi, Wakizashi, Parasol, Javelin, Spear, Peri's Lance, Bold Naginata, Hand Axe, Tomahawk, Throwing Club, Battering Club, Sidelong Yumi	User cannot make follow-up attacks. Treats user as having -5 Spd when determining if the foe can make a follow-up attack.	Fates
Takumi's Shinai, Hana's Katana, Hinata's Katana, Spy's Shuriken, Niles's Bow, Spy's Yumi, Odin's Grimoire, Ink Painting, Izana's Scroll, Dragonstone, Dragonstone+, Draconic Rage, Dark Breath, Dragon Breath	User cannot make follow-up attacks.	Fates
Effie's Lance	Treats user as having -5 Spd.	Fates
Beruka's Axe	Treats user as having -5 Spd when determining if the foe can make a follow-up attack.	Fates
Chakram, Pursuer, Excalibur	Treats user as having +5 Spd when determining if they can make a follow-up attack. Treats user as having -5 Spd when determining if the foe can make a follow-up attack.	Fates
Darting Blow	If user initiates combat, treats user as having +5 Spd when determining if they can make a follow-up attack./+6 if user initiates combat.	Fates, Three Houses
Wary Fighter	User and foe cannot make follow-up attacks.	Fates
All combat arts except for One-Two Punch	User cannot make follow-up attacks.	Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, Three Houses
Meteor, Bolting, Luna, Bohr Χ	User cannot make follow-up attacks.	Three Houses
Crest of Flames Power	User cannot make follow-up attacks.	Three Houses
Quick Riposte	Treats unit as having AS > target's AS + 4, if HP ≥ 50% and foe initiates combat.	Three Houses
One-Two Punch	Treats unit as having AS > target's AS + 4.	Three Houses

Flavor text

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Game	Text (English)	Text (Japanese)
Radiant Dawn (NTSC-U)	The attack speed. If it is at least 4 higher than the opponent's speed, the unit will attack more than once.	攻撃の速さ敵より４上回れば追撃が発生
Radiant Dawn (PAL)	The attack speed. If it is at least 4 points higher than the opponent's speed, the unit will attack more than once.	--
Three Houses	The unit will attack twice if its attack speed is at least 4 more than the enemy's.	??

Trivia

Attack speed does not technically exist in Fire Emblem Gaiden and Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, with weapon weight being a straight penalty to the user's speed stat.
In Fates, due to the "effective speed" system, it is possible to create a situation where both the attacker and the defender double attack each other in a single round of combat. The weapons Excalibur, Chakram, and Pursuer boost both the user's and the opponent's ability to double attack by +5, so if the attacker and defender have the same speed and one of them is wielding one of these weapons, they will double each other.