You Need to Know About Pathfinder’s “Speak with Animals” Spell

In the world of Pathfinder, there’s a spell for just about everything. And if you’re looking to commune with nature, there’s no better spell than “speak with animals.” Here’s everything you need to know about this versatile and useful spell. 

How “Speak with Animals” Works

The pathfinder speak with animals spell allows you to communicate with natural animals like bears, cats, dogs, elephants, and so on. You can also use the spell to talk to more exotic creatures, such as dinosaurs, giant spiders, and unicorns. The animal must be within 30 feet of you, and it must be able to see and hear you. 

Once the spell is cast, you can have a conversation with the animal as if you were speaking its language. The animal will understand you, but you might not be able to understand it (unless you have a high enough Charisma score). However, the animal will be friendly toward you for the duration of the spell, which means it won’t attack you unless it’s provoked. 

The “speak with animals” spell doesn’t give you insight into an animal’s thoughts or feelings—you’ll only be able to communicate on a basic level. For example, if you cast a spell on a dog, you wouldn’t be able to ask it about its favorite bone or why it chases its tail. However, you could ask it things like where it lives, what it likes to eat, and whether there are any other dogs in the area. 

Uses for “Speak with Animals”

The “speak with animals” spell has all sorts of applications in both combat and non-combat situations. In combat, the spell can be used to get information from animals that might otherwise be hostile. For example, if you’re fighting a lone wolf, you could use the spell to ask if there are any more wolves nearby. This would give you valuable information that could help you defeat your enemies. 

Outside of combat, the applications for “speak with animals” are endless. If you’re lost in the wilderness and need directions back to civilization, an animal could help lead the way. Or if you’re trying to find a specific creature for some reason—say, a unicorn for its magical horn—an animal could help point you in the right direction. In addition, if you have a high enough Charisma score, you could use “speak with animals” as a way to make some extra money by performing tricks in villages or towns. 

The bottom line

Pathfinder’s “speak with animals” spell is one of the most versatile spells in the game. It can be used for combat purposes, as well as for non-combat purposes like finding your way back home or making some extra money. So next time your character is looking for some helpful information from our furry (or scaly) friends, don’t forget to give this spell a try!