View source for Animal Handling

__NOTOC__
{{Skill infobox
|title            = Animal Handling
|image            = [[File:AnimalHandling_skill.png|300px]] 
|caption          = The art of taming animals and teaching them to fight alongside you.
|skilltype        = Combat Skill
|maxlevel         = 70 <!-- List without bonus levels -->
|req              = None 
|skilltrainers    = [[Gisli]]
}}
{{Quote|source=Developer Blog <ref>http://www.eldergame.com/2012/07/a-little-more-about-evil-undead-and-pet-classes/ A little more about evil, undead, and pet classes</ref>|
Animal Handlers spend a ton of time with their '''pets''', raising and training them. Ancillary skills like '''Animal Husbandry''' let them breed pets to get the best genes for fighting (and best colors and appearances!). Animal Handlers have a lot of versatility because they can summon different pets for different problems, but they have to spend a lot of time out of combat raising these pets. (Hopefully this is a fun activity for them, though! It’s aimed at people who think raising and breeding virtual animals sounds fun.)
}}
== {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}} Overview==
'''Animal Handling''' is a combat skill that many wanderers of Alharth like to learn. The skill focuses on taming and training various animals to fight alongside you.
=== In-Game Description ===
The art of taming animals and teaching them to fight alongside you.
=== Training {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}} ===
<!-- A list of methods to learn and level the skill -->
* [[Gisli]], a Dwarf living in [[Serbule Keep]], will teach the art of Animal Handling for 2000 Councils. Unlike many denizens of Alharth, you don't need to be his friend, he seems willing to teach the skill to anyone who can pay.

== Connected Skills ==
=====Sub-Skills:=====
* Animal Husbandry - Not in the game yet.
=====Secondary Skills:=====
* [[Charm Rat]] - While not a skill, Adventurers may wish to learn the art of 'Rat Charming. While you can learn to  '''Tame Rat'''s from Gisli, the method to '''Charm''' Rats must be obtained elsewhere. This relatively rare technique is rumored to have been taught at a secret Council Academy once operating on [[Anagoge Island]]. Charmed Rats are still wild animals, not pets. Charmed Rats will follow you around, and can't be revived once defeated in battle.
===== Synergy Levels =====
Bonus [[Synergy Levels]] for [[Animal Handling]] can be obtained from the following skills and levels:
:; [[Compassion]]
:: Level 30

== {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}} Basic Abilities==
As you level {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}}, you will learn the following abilities:
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! align="left" style="width:200px;"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Ability'''</span> || align="left" style="width:80px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Req. Level'''</span> || align="left" style="width:120px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Learn From'''</span> || align="left" style="width:800px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Description'''</span>|| align="left" style="width:120px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Damage Type'''</span> || align="left"|'''Attack Type'''
|-
| [[File:Claw Ability.png|36px]] '''Claw''' (1-4) || 0/15/30/48 || Level Up  ||Claw your enemy. (+ damage vs vulnerable targets) || Slashing || Basic Attack
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Abilities available from [[Gisli]] the stable master in [[Serbule Keep]].
{| {{AATST}}
|- style="background: #ec81bf;"
! Ability || Lvl Req || Cost || Notes
|-
| Wild Endurance || 17 || 3100 || Order your pet to hold its ground. Pet regenerates 10 Health/Sec and gains Universal Mitigation +5 for 15 Seconds
|-
| Wild Endurance 2 || 32 || 8600 || Order your pet to hold its ground. Pet regenerates 20 Health/Sec and gains Universal Mitigation +10 for 15 Seconds
|-
| Wild Endurance 3 || 47 || 14100 || Order your pet to hold its ground. Pet regenerates 30 Health/Sec and gains Universal Mitigation +15 for 15 Seconds
|-
| Unnatural Wrath || 15 || 2900 || Your pet takes 50 damage and deals +30 damage on its next attack. Requires an Anchor Rune in your inventory, and has a 10% chance to consume it
|-
| Unnatural Wrath 2 || 30 || 5400 || Your pet takes 150 damage and deals +70 damage on its next attack. Requires an Anchor Rune in your inventory, and has a 10% chance to consume it
|-
| Unnatural Wrath 3 || 45 || 13900 || Your pet takes 300 damage and deals +100 damage on its next attack. Requires an Anchor Rune in your inventory, and has a 10% chance to consume it
|}
=== {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}} Advanced Abilities===
Upon reaching higher levels, experts of the {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}} Skill may learn the following abilities:

(Under Construction - Higher level skills may be learned from [[Gisli]].)
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|- style="background: #ec81bf;"
! align="left" style="width:200px;"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Ability'''</span> || align="left" style="width:80px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Req. Level'''</span> || align="left" style="width:120px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Learn From'''</span> || align="left" style="width:800px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Description'''</span>|| align="left" style="width:120px"|<span style="cursor: pointer;">'''Damage Type'''</span> || align="left"|'''Attack Type'''

|-
| [[File:Pack Attack Ability.png|36px]] '''Pack Attack''' 4 || 55 || [[Altar of Norala]]  ||Bite your enemy. Future Pack Attacks (by you or by other werewolves) will deal extra damage to this target. || Crushing || ???
|-
}}
-->
{{:{{msg:BASEPAGENAME}}/Abilities}}
== {{msg:BASEPAGENAME}} Mechanics ==
=== Animal Taming ===
Before Animal Handlers can call a wild animal their pet, it must first be '''Tamed.''' Shrines can be found across Alharth dedicated to specific types of animals. These shrines hold secrets related to '''Taming''' their associated animals, and may grant their knowledge to anyone who solves their sacrificial riddles. You can only tame pets at your own Animal Handling skill level or up to five levels higher. For example, [[Grimalkin]] are level 55, so you need a minimum of 50 levels of Animal Handling to tame one.

To '''Tame''' a wild animal, the animal's associated Taming Ability must be used. Adventurers wishing to '''Tame''' a cat must complete a twenty second cast of their '''Tame Cat''' ability, while focusing on a specific wild [[Feline]]. If the Adventurer is able to survive the cat for twenty seconds, the cat will accept the Adventurer as its master.

; Charm Rat
: Learned on [[Anagoge Island]].
; Tame Rat
: Learned from [[Gisli]] in [[Serbule]].
; Tame Cat
: Learned by Level 20 Animal Handlers at the Cat Shrine in Southwest [[Eltibule]].
{{Spoiler|Click to see the item required for the Cat Shrine|
The answer is "String": a string seems to be the item required to sacrifice. This item can be obtained through either Textile Creation or purchased from Ukorga in the Kur Mountains. Cat eyes, which can be sometimes looted from a cat, work as sacrifice too.
}}
; Tame Bear
: Learned by Level 40 Animal Handlers at the Bear Shrine in the [[Kur Mountains]].
{{Spoiler|Click to see the item required for the Bear Shrine|
The answer is "Perch": This item can be obtained through fishing...
}}

=== Raising Skill Levels ===
To level Animal Handling, an Adventurer must actively use pet abilities while fighting, just like every other skill.

=== Stables ===
You can have as many pets as you have stable slots. You can buy more stable slots from the following Stablemasters.
* [[Gisli]] in [[Serbule]].
* Placeholder Stablemaster in [[Hogan's Keep]].
These Stablemasters can help you to rename your pets, level up your pets, release unwanted pets, and most importantly, revive them if they fall in battle.

Deceased pets can be revived at a stable for a small fee.
=== Anchor Runes===
Potential Prodigies versed in '''Animal Handling''' may have learned the '''Unnatural Wrath''' abilities.{{Hint| From Gisli in Serbule Keep}} These abilities require an [[Anchor Rune]] to be used.

Shadowy deer shaped [[Construct]]s such as the [[Misery Yak]] are reportedly sources of this item.
=== Healing Pets ===
While deceased pets can be revived at a Stable, adept Animal Handlers may attempt to resuscitate their pets using [[Good First Aid Kit]]s.
:* Note that pet healing skills mean overall health/armor healing, not each. Example: if your pet is missing 5 health and 20 armor, and you use Feed Pet for +15 healing, the pet will recover 5 health and 10 armor.
=== Pet Combat & Tricks ===
Every '''Tamed''' animal has two types of special attacks, a '''Sic 'Em Attack''' and a '''Special Trick.''' Every animal has a different set of attacks.
: '''Clever Trick''' is an ability Animal Handlers will learn at levels 3, 25, and 44. This ability commands your pet to perform its '''Special Trick.'''
: '''Sic 'Em''' is an ability Animal Handlers will learn at levels 9, 19, 29, 39, and 49. This ability commands your pet to perform its '''Sic 'Em Attack.'''
=== Bond Level ===
As you fight alongside your pet, its Bond Level increases. A new pet will begin with a Bond Level of 0, or a pet you receive from another player (not yet available in-game). For each Bond Level, pets' base damage increases by 1 or 2, max health increases by 4, and max armor increases by 1.
=== Enthusiasm ===
Pet Enthusiasm is boosted by its owner's equipped items. Enthusiasm determines the chance for pets to critically hit enemies. Higher Enthusiasm is required to critically hit higher level monsters. If a pet performs a critical hit, the pet's direct damage is increased by 25% (for cats), 40% (for bears), or 50% (for rats).
=== Happiness ===
Happiness determines how much experience a pet earns. If it dies, Happiness goes down. The rate a pet recovers Happiness is based on Enthusiasm.

== Pet Stats == 
; ( Data after Oct 2016 update )
=== Rats === 
'''Rats''' are generally the first animal Animal Handlers will learn to '''Charm''' and '''Tame.''' Higher level rats may provide a Poison Vulnerability Debuff, and some species of Rats are reported to exhibit high Evasion.
; [[Giant Rat]] Tamed at level 10: 87 armor, 106 Health, 6 Dmg Crush / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Rage debuff, Heal owner.
: Weak against: Fire, Electricity
: Resists: Poison, Trauma.
 {{Spoiler|Level 70 stats|Expect at level 70: 567 Armor (497 from level, 70 from Bond), 717 Health (437 from level, 280 from Bond), 197 Dmg. Evasion 26%, Rage debuff: -380, Heal owner: 150.}}
; [[Sewer Rat]] Tamed at level 7: 61 armor, 116 health, 9 Dmg Crush / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Rage debuff, Poison vulnerability debuff.
: Weak against: Fire, Electricity
: Resists: Poison, Trauma. 20% Evasion.
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Expect at level 60: 340 Armor, 426 Health, 72 Dmg.}}
; [[Hearty Cave Rat]] Tamed at level 22: 129 armor, 143 health, 24 Dmg Crush / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Rage debuff, Heal Owner.
: Weak against: Fire, Electricity
: Resists: Poison, Trauma. High Evasion.
 {{Spoiler|Level 70 stats|Expect at level 70: 567 Armor (497 from level, 70 from Bond), 717 Health (437 from level, 280 from Bond), 197 Dmg. Evasion 26%, Rage debuff: -380, Heal owner: 150.}}

=== Felines ===
Animal Handlers who master Rats may wish to move onto something more ferocious, the [[Feline]]. Felines, also known as Big Cats, can be '''Charmed''' by Level 20+ Animal Handlers. Felines deal heavy slashing damage, but most are weak to poison.
; [[Tiger]] Tamed at level 15: 71 armor, 185 health, 20 Dmg Slash / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Heavy Slash, Very Heavy Slash. 
: Weak against: Fire, Poison, Trauma
: Resists: Nature.
; [[Old Fangsworth]] Tamed at level 20: 54 armor, 184 Health, 24 Dmg Slash / Slash. Named Tiger around Serbule.
: Special Abilities: Heavy Slash, Slash + root 9". 
: Weak against: Fire, Poison, Trauma
: Resists: Nature.
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 197 Armor, 500 health, 98 Dmg.}}
; [[Panther]] Tamed at level 13: 71 Armor, 185 Health, 20 Dmg, Slash / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Slash vulnerability debuff, Very heavy Slash. 
: Weak against: Fire, Poison, Trauma
: Resists: Nature.
; [[Fey Panther]] Tamed at level 23: 105 Armor, 147 Health, 36 Dmg, Slash / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Heavy Slash, Heal owner 150. 
: Weak against: Fire, Poison, Trauma
: Resists: Nature (very).
; [[Fey Panther Groupie]] Tamed at level 25: 145 Armor, 181 Health, 27 Dmg, Slash / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Heavy Slash, Heal owner 150. 
: Weak against: Fire, Poison, Trauma
: Resists: Nature (very).
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 411 Armor, 426 Health, 93 Dmg.}}
; [[Razorslash Panther]] Tamed at level 50: 375 Armor, 400 Health, 63 Dmg, Slash / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Slash vulnerability debuff 12% 8", Slash + Root 8". 
: Weak against: Poison, Trauma.
; [[Giant Razorslash Panther]] Tamed at level 65: 537 Armor, 496 Health, 148 Dmg, Slash / Slash.
: Special Abilities: Slash vulnerability debuff 15% 8", Slash + Root 9". 
: Weak against: Poison, Trauma.
 {{Spoiler|Level 70 stats|Level 70: 641 Armor, 786 health, 218 Dmg.}}

=== Bears ===
Bears are difficult to tame, but loyal partners. Some bears deal heavy damage, while others are tanks. Most bears are weak against Electricity and Acids. 
; [[Angry Bear]] Tamed at level 18: 89 Armor, 156 Health, 20 Dmg, Slash / Crush. Name Bear near Serbule.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Self-heal 100, Heavy Crush. 
: Weak against: Electricity, Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma.
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 340 Armor, 426 Health, 93 Dmg.}}
; [[Bear Groupie]] Tamed at level 25: 194 Armor, 205 Health, 18 Dmg, Slash / Crush.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Taunt 300, Heavy Crush.
: Weak against: Electricity, Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma.
; [[The Mangler]] Tamed at level 25: 100 Armor, 233 Health, 31 Dmg, Slash / Crush. Expect same stats for all named Fae Bears.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Taunt 300, Heavy Crush. 
: Weak against: Electricity, Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma. 
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 275 Armor, 559 Health, 93 Dmg.}}
; [[Trained Crushing Bear]] Tamed at level 30: 225 Armor, 200 Health, 30 Dmg, Slash / Crush. Found in Goblin dungeon.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Taunt 300, Crush + Stun. 
: Weak against: Electricity, Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma.
; [[Graz]] Tamed at level 35: 284 Armor, 196 Health, 43 Dmg, Slash / Crush. Mini-boss in Goblin dungeon.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Self-Heal100, Crush + Stun. 
: Weak against Electricity Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma. 
{{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 608 Armor, 367 Health, 93 Dmg.}}
; [[Ice Bear]] Tamed at level 43: 331 Armor, 413 Health, 42 Dmg, Slash / Crush. Same for both White bears.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Taunt 300, Cold mitigation for owner +25. 
: Weak against Electricity Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma, Ice (very). 
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 546 Armor, 617 Health, 72 Dmg.}}
; [[Polar Bear]] Tamed at level 62: 491 Armor, 520 Health, 95 Dmg, Slash / Crush.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Taunt 300, Cold mitigation for owner +25. 
: Weak against Electricity Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma, Ice (very).
; [[Tundra Bear]] Tamed at level 73: 530 Armor, 702 Health, 114 Dmg, Slash / Crush.
: Special Abilities: Slash + Taunt 300, Cold mitigation for owner +25. 
: Weak against Electricity Acid
: Resists: Crush, Trauma, Ice (very).

=== Grimalkins ===
[[Grimalkin]]s are a species of [[Feline]].
; [[Grimalkin]] Tamed at level 55: 488 Armor, 332 Health, 82 Dmg, Slash / Crush.
: Special Abilities: DOT trauma 15 for 20", Lure away. 
: Weak against: Ice
: Resists: Poison, Trauma.
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 546 Armor, 367 Health, 93 Dmg.}}
; [[Hissy]] Tamed at level 55: 488 Armor, 386 Health, 87 Dmg, Slash / Crush.
: Special Abilities: DOT trauma 20 for 15", Slash + Root. 
: Weak against: Ice
: Resists: Poison, Trauma.
 {{Spoiler|Level 60 stats|Level 60: 546 Armor, 426 Health, 98 Dmg.}}
 {{Spoiler|Level 70 stats|Level 70: 662 Armor, 506 Health, 116 Dmg.}}
{{:{{msg:BASEPAGENAME}}/Treasure Effects}}
{{:{{msg:BASEPAGENAME}}/Stat Bonuses}}
{{:{{msg:BASEPAGENAME}}/Level Up Rewards}}

== Trivia ==
Animal Handling received a major overhaul in July 2016. In the previous version of Animal Handling, you needed to Charm an animal before Taming it.
== Gallery==
<gallery mode="nolines" widths=200px>
File:AH_pet_bear.png|A player with a pet Bear.
File:Cat_shrine.png|Cat Shrine.
File:Hissy_pet.png|Hissy - special rare Grimalkin.
File:PlayerPetGrimalkin.png|A player and their pet Grimalkin.
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Skills]][[Category:Combat Skills]]