Every weapon has a base attack speed , it is displayed next to the attack power stat. There are 6 values of base attack speed: Slow -2, Slow -1, Normal, Fast +1, Fast+2, Fast+3.
This value does not display in your stats window, you can still have 0% attack speed with a slow -2 and fast + 3 weapon.
The value in your character stats determines how many times faster than normal your base attack speed is.
But what is the difference between the base attack speeds? Here are the hidden values at 0%.
Melee Weapons
Axes
Slow -1: 38.1 hits per minute or 1 hit every 1.57 seconds
Staves, Dual Swords, Two Handed Swords
Normal: 41.6 hits per minute or 1 hit every 1.44 seconds
Spears, One handed Blunt Weapons
Fast + 1: 42.5 hits per minute or 1 hit every 1.41 seconds
Katars, One Handed Swords
Fast + 2: 46.8 hits per minute or 1 hit every 1.28 seconds
Ranged Weapons
Launchers
Slow -2: 27.7 hits per minute or 1 hit every 2.17 seconds
Wands, Guns, Bows, Crossbows
Fast + 1: 34 hits per minute or 1 hit every 1.76 seconds
Six Stick Bow Gun
Fast +3: 39.5 hits per minute or 1 hit every 1.52 seconds
There is some variation between attacks however. Non ranged weapons have 3 different melee animations which have slightly different speeds.
*These values were derived from testing and human error does occur, so they may not be 100% accurate to what the game client's values actually are.
Ranged weapons, are for some reason slower than melee weapons, despite the fact that they may have equivalent base attack speeds in the description. This is applies to attacking at full range and at point blank range.
Now, these values portray what your attack speed will be at 0 percent, but what about when you have more than that? From here it is simple, just multiply the number by your base attack speed value. Remember, 0% is 1.0.
ie: In your stats window 100% attack speed = 2x your base
200% attack speed = 3x your base
300% attack speed = 4x your base
A katar raider with 0% attack speed will hit as fast as a launcher bourg with 68.9%.
A gun bourg with 300% attack speed will hit as fast as a spear champ with 220%.
What does this all mean and how will it help you? I don't know, you might not care, but it's nice to see how things compare.
Edited by Phish, 11 October 2011 - 10:50 AM.