Animal Empathy? What can you do?

[Valavien]

Hi Gurus,

Currently I am playing a 4th level Druid with 7 ranks in Animal Empathy with a total score of +11

From those who use it or know of it well: What can you actually do with it??

If there is a hostile bear who is ready to attack at the end of a log, can I use the skill to calm it down??

Valavien

 

[Steverooo]

If the GM has decided that the bear is hostile, your Druid can try to calm it, then roll 1D20+11 for its reaction in the "Hostile" column of the reaction table. With luck, it may go from hostile to neutral or even friendly.

 

[Valavien]

I assume that if the bear would be in combat with someone then I couldn't do anything about it.

But what if the animal was moving forward to attack, can I start using it then, before an actual attack?

 

[Witch Doctor]

I think Animal Empathy is the Diplomacy of the animals. Since you need a language for Diplomacy, you won't see many clerics, bards, or rogues trying to talk down a bear.

 

[nimisgod]

I think it takes generally one minute to use Animal Empathy. I suppose this would mean that you can try to calm a growling bear or wolf but not a charging one.