Wild Empathy question

[Macgyvercas]

So, I'm running a 3.5 Eberron campaign, and have a ranger in the group. Obviously, this means he'll be using Wild Empathy at some point (he asked if he could use it on Iron Defenders. IRON DEFENDERS! COME ON!).

Anyway, the question I have is can it be used in combat? The ability description states that they must be within 30 feet under normal visibility, but it also states that it takes 1 minute, and I'm sure the animal in question, if it had an attitude of Unfriendly or Hostile, would have attacked by then.

So, thoughts?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Hm... this may be a DM call, requiring RP flavor.

Lets say a single, large, angry bear attacked the party. They made camp for the night really close to the baby bears without knowing it and Momma is Angry!

Bear attacks, a few rounds of bear hitting players, players hit bear as they try to get their bearings. Than, maybe round 3, the Ranger steps directly in front of the Bear and does a Wild Empathy check. Lets say he passes in that round, and all the other characters stop attacking and back up a little.

I'd run it that the bear is angry, growling, swiping at the nearby tree is a show of aggression, but has stopped attacking. Assuming no one attacks for the next 10 rounds, or makes and threatening moves, nor runs away in a panic, etc, and the Ranger just stood his/her ground, staring the bear down, I'd rule that at the end of a minute the bear would settle down, turn and walk away, as long as the party broke camp and moved away as well.

This is a scenario I'd allow it to work. If a pack of wolves attacked, and the Ranger tried to stare down one while the party was slaughtering it's packmates, I'd assume any Wild Empathy checks would fail.

 

[Dross]

While maybe not working at lower levels well, you can always try for the equivalent to "quick diplomacy" which is -10 for 1 round of wild empathy-ing.

 

[kitcik]

...players hit bear as they try to get their bearings.

Classic!!