Caroline using her super speed.
Super Speed is a supernatural ability possessed by vampires, werewolves and hybrids. It allows the user to be faster than any non-supernatural creature and run at an extremely high speed, which causes them to become almost invisible to the naked eye. Super speed varies from user to user with some users, usually the oldest, being faster than younger users.
List of Users
Werewolves
Werewolf using super speed.
Werewolves possess this ability both in and out of transformation. However, the power is faster at night than in the day, due to the moon's presence, and the speed increases greatly when the werewolf is transformed during the full moon. The most notable werewolves who have used this ability on screen, are Mason Lockwood, Tyler Lockwood, and Jules. When using the power, they become almost nearly a blur.
Vampires
Elena saves Katherine using super speed.
Non-Original Vampires can run very fast, to the point of being able to fully outrun transformed werewolves.Typically, when they accelerate, a distinct whooshing vacuum-like sound can be heard. They become faster with age, although once a person has transitioned into a vampire, they are automatically able to run much faster than any other animal or human, as demonstrated by Stefan, Katherine and Caroline. This speed allows many vampires to outrun explosions. Like werewolves, it makes the user almost seem invisible, like a blur. They can also travel with a passenger, usually by establishing contact first with the recipient(s) and then speeding away. Interestingly, human passengers seems to be unfazed by the speed in which the vampire runs, in which the air friction alone would otherwise have ripped mere mortals to shreds. This implies that vampires can also impart some sort of protection to their passengers while utilizing this power. After Bonnie accidentally fell down into a tomb, Stefan was able to use this ability to jump down, find her and bring her back up to safety without any harm. Damon used this power to take people from one place to another. Vampires are known to be the fastest supernatural creatures alive.
Hybrids
Klaus is so fast he has been shown not to appear like a blur but simply disappear.
Because vampires and werewolves both naturally possess this power, Klaus, Tyler, and the other non-original hybrids created by Klaus have a much stronger ability than regular vampires or werewolves. Instead of appearing like a blur when he runs, Klaus almost seems invisible all together, which gives him the advantage to stalk and kill his prey of choice. His heightened ability is likely a result of both being a hybrid and also being 1,000+ years old.
Original Vampires
Elijah, being an original vampire, is much faster than non-original vampires.
Original Vampires run immensely fast, much faster than any non-original vampires, werewolves (transformed or not), non-Original hybrids, humans, or animals. They are noted to stop any other species in it's tracks and cover long distances in minutes, if not seconds. This was demonstrated by Kol when he appeared instantly at Elena's doorstep, after he was shown being some distance away while walking by a wooded area. They are able to easily catch up to any species of creature, supernatural or not. They can use their super speed during a fight to quickly throw blows which could easily finish off any one other than their own species.
Enhanced Original
Alaric being an enhanced original can easily outmaneuver other vampires.
These vampires run the fastest among all supernatural species. They seem to be able to even outrun or catch other Original Vampires off guard. Since the spell Esther used to turn Alaric Saltzman into the Enhanced Original was designed for the sole purpose being able to hunt and kill the Originals, it is very likely that his type of vampirism allowed him to have superior abilities in every way compared to regular Original vampires. Enhanced Originals are able to easily intercept all other supernatural creatures and can cover long distances in a short amount of time.
