Herding
Animal Control and Direction
Overview
Herding is the peaceful art of directing animals to move to specific locations using a Shepherd's Crook. While often overlooked, this skill provides unique utility for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who needs to manage wildlife without combat.
Unlike Animal Taming, Herding doesn't give you control over creatures - it simply guides them to walk where you direct. This makes it a simple, accessible skill for managing farm animals or clearing wildlife from an area.
Core Mechanics
How to Herd
- 1. Equip: Have a Shepherd's Crook in your pack or hands
- 2. Use Skill: Activate Herding from skill menu
- 3. Target Animal: Click on the animal to herd
- 4. Target Location: Click where you want it to go
- 5. Success: Animal walks to the targeted spot
Success Rate
Success chance scales directly with skill level
- • 0 Skill: 0% success chance
- • 50 Skill: 50% success chance
- • 75 Skill: 75% success chance
- • 100 Skill: 100% success chance
Requirements
- • Tool Required: Shepherd's Crook
- • Range: 10 tiles for both targets
- • Target Type: Animals only (no monsters/humans)
- • Minimum Skill: None (can attempt at 0.0)
Herdable Animals
Farm Animals
Livestock
- • Sheep
- • Cows
- • Bulls
- • Pigs
- • Goats
- • Chickens
Pack Animals
- • Horses
- • Llamas
- • Pack Horses
- • Pack Llamas
Pets
- • Dogs
- • Cats
Wild Animals
Forest
- • Deer
- • Rabbits
- • Birds
- • Boars
Predators
- • Bears
- • Wolves
- • Panthers
- • Cougars
Other
- • Snakes
- • Alligators
- • Eagles
- • Walruses
⚠️ Restrictions
- • Cannot herd tamed pets in safe zones
- • Cannot herd summoned creatures
- • Cannot herd dead bonded pets
- • Only creatures with "animal" body type can be herded
Training Guide
Training Methods
| Skill Range | Method | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30 | NPC Training | Rancher/Ranger GM |
| 30-60 | Farm Animals | Britain Farms |
| 60-80 | Wild Animals | Forests |
| 80-100 | Any Animals | Anywhere |
Training Tips
- • Gain Factor: 0.50 (easier gains than default)
- • Anti-Macro: Must vary targets and locations
- • Stat Gains: Intelligence (primary), Dexterity (secondary)
- • No Difficulty Scaling: All animals give same gain chance
- • Multiple Crooks: Keep spares, they don't break
Practical Uses
Farming & Ranching
- • Pen Management: Move animals into pens without gates
- • Shearing Setup: Line up sheep for efficient wool gathering
- • Breeding: Position animals for controlled breeding
- • Harvesting: Group animals for resource collection
Tactical Applications
- • Path Clearing: Move wildlife away from roads
- • Trap Setup: Position animals for hunting
- • Distraction: Herd animals toward enemies
- • Resource Protection: Move animals away from resources
Roleplaying & Events
- • Animal Shows: Organize livestock exhibitions
- • Races: Set up animal racing events
- • Shepherd RP: Authentic shepherd character
- • Zoo Management: Arrange animal displays
Tips & Tricks
Efficient Herding
- • Chain Herding: Herd multiple animals in sequence
- • Obstacle Use: Herd animals around obstacles to trap them
- • Distance Control: Stay at max range (10 tiles) for safety
- • Pathfinding: Animals follow direct paths - plan accordingly
Character Templates
Herding pairs well with these character builds:
The Shepherd
- • 100 Herding
- • 100 Animal Lore
- • 100 Veterinary
- • 100 Tailoring
- • 100 Musicianship
- • 100 Peacemaking
- • 100 Camping
The Rancher
- • 100 Herding
- • 100 Animal Taming
- • 100 Animal Lore
- • 100 Veterinary
- • 100 Cooking
- • 100 Carpentry
- • 100 Tinkering
Fun Facts
- • No Minimum: Only skill with 0.0 minimum requirement
- • 100% Success: Guaranteed success at GM level
- • Starting Equipment: New herders get free Shepherd's Crook
- • Peaceful Skill: One of few completely non-combat skills