Animal Handling

Animal Handling is a Wisdom-based Skill.

The higher a creature's Wisdom Score, the more likely they will succeed on Animal Handling Checks to deal with animals.

“

Influence animals. Pet all of the dogs.

„

— In-game skill description

Proficiency

Characters who are proficient in Animal Handling can add their Proficiency Bonus when making  Ability Checks.

The following backgrounds grant proficiency in Animal Handling:

•  Folk Hero

The following classes can choose to select Animal Handling as a proficient skill at Level 1:

•  Barbarian
•  Bard
•  Druid
•  Fighter
•  Ranger

Nature domain clerics gain  Acolyte of Nature which grants Animal Handling proficiency.

Uses

• Used in dialogue with animals if  Speak with Animals is not active.

Ways to boost or penalize

Raising or lowering Wisdom will also boost/penalize the Wisdom modifier (and therefore Animal Handling) by 1 every even number, up or down.

Equipment and items

Name	Bonus or Penalty	Notes
Elixir of Halfling Luck	Advantage	All ability checks
Elixir of Human Versatility	Proficiency	All skills
Idol of Silvanus	Proficiency
Shapeshifter's Boon Ring	+1d4	All ability checks while shapeshifted/disguised
Spoiled Treacle Tart	Disadvantage	All Intelligence/Wisdom ability checks

Actions and spells

Name	Bonus or Penalty	Notes
Ascendant Bite	-1 (target) +1 (user)	All ability checks
Astral Knowledge: Wisdom	Proficiency
Bardic Inspiration  Combat Inspiration	+1d6 +1d8 +1d10	Next ability check
Bend Luck: Ability Check Bonus	+1d4	All ability checks
Bestow Curse: Wisdom Disadvantage	Disadvantage	All Wisdom ability checks
Bolstering Magic: Boon	+1d4	All ability checks
Contagion: Blinding Sickness	Disadvantage	All Wisdom ability checks
Cosmic Omen: Ability Check	+1d6	All ability checks
Cutting Words	-1d6	All ability checks
Guidance	+1d4	All ability checks
Hex (Wisdom)	Disadvantage	All Wisdom ability checks
Improved Bardic Inspiration	+1d12	Next ability check
Knowledge of the Ages: Wisdom	Proficiency
Owl's Wisdom	Advantage	All Wisdom ability checks
Vampire Bite	-1 (target) +1 (user)	All ability checks

Other sources

Name	Bonus or Penalty	Notes
Aura of Possibility	+10	All ability checks
Bliss Spores	+1d6	All ability checks
Blood-draw Sickness	-1	All ability checks
Dark One's Own Luck	+1d10	All ability checks once per short rest
Forbidden Knowledge	+1	All Wisdom ability checks
Hoots' Hooch: Beast Tongue	Disadvantage	Against Beasts only
Jack of All Trades	Proficiency bonus/2	All skills not proficient in