Speed up one ally's actions.
Description
Haste is a Time Magick spell both in the Zodiac versions of Final Fantasy XII as well as in the original PlayStation 2 version. It is a single-target status enhancement spell that speeds up the affected's ability gauge, allowing them to act more often. Its ailment counterpart is Slow. Its multi-target upgrade is Hastega.
Haste can be cast by Gizamaluk, Wendigo, Onion Queen [b], Golem, Ose, Mythril Golem, Bune, Reaver, High Reaver, Archaeoaevis, Buer, Banshee, Babil, Vyraal, Diabolos, Catoblepas, Yiazmat, Hashmal (original Japanese version only), Daedalus, Molen, Wendice, Skullash, Alteci, Seeq Explorer, Judge [c, d], Sphere-Rook, and Doctor Cid (1, 2).
Obtained[]
Haste's license costs 50 License Points in the Zodiac versions, where the spell is found in Eruyt Village's Fane of the Path. This is the area where the party talks to Jote, in the second level of the village. The treasure for Haste is right at the back and looks like a blue crystal.
In the original version, Haste's license costs 40 LP. It is bought for 3400 gil from Eruyt Village onward after the events in Henne Mines.
In the Zodiac versions, Haste is used by the Time Battlemage.
Mechanics[]
Haste temporarily bestows the status of the same name that causes the affected's ATB gauge to fill 50% faster, making them able to take action more frequently. It stacks with the superior Berserk and is removed with Dispel and Slow; Haste and Slow statuses cannot usually co-exist.
The formula for the duration is:
The duration depends on the receiver's Vitality stat, not the caster's. Haste and Slow do not affect the length other status effects will last, but Stop will halt them.
Haste costs 18 MP to cast without Channeling licenses in the Zodiac versions, or 20 MP in the original version. The spell will bounce from Reflect unless the caster wears the Opal Ring.
Use[]
Haste is a status enhancement spell the player can easily set up via the gambit system (such as with Ally status:Berserk→Haste, Ally status:Slow→Haste, or Ally:Any→Haste). Instead of using the spell, the player can also gain it permanently from the Hermes Sandals accessory.
Haste lets the affected act more often, making it generally useful. It is especially beneficial to have Haste and Berserk on the same character. However, since Haste only affects the ATB gauge speed and not animation speed, combos, or the "cooldown time" after using an ability, it mainly makes a difference for physical attackers using their fastest weapons. If most damage comes from combos, then the relevance of Haste is also diminished, as the ATB does not charge in-between. Therefore, using Haste more to heal Slow than to maintain a constant Haste status may be a good idea, to rid of the ailment while also getting an additional boon. Activating the Ally:Any→Haste only in boss battles may also be a good idea, as the status is only useful when the character needs to act numerous times in a short time.
Other aspects that affect how fast an ally or foe can act in battle are Battle Speed set in the Config, Swiftness licenses for the player characters, and the Attack CT0 passive for enemies, as well as the fast forward functions in the Zodiac versions.
When the player gets Hastega very late into the game, Haste is outclassed as long as the player has more than one party member.