Nature
Full rules text, use cases, and edge-case handling for this skill.
Description
Nature covers your knowledge of the natural world — terrain types, plants, animals, seasonal patterns, weather, natural cycles, and the ecological relationships between creatures. It is the academic knowledge of the wild, where Survival is the practical skill of living in it.
Check
The GM calls for a Nature check when recalling or applying knowledge about the natural world.
| Difficulty | DC |
|---|---|
| Easy | 10 |
| Medium | 15 |
| Hard | 20 |
| Very Hard | 25 |
| Nearly Impossible | 30 |
Common Uses
- Identifying a plant, fungus, or naturally occurring substance
- Recalling a beast's habits, habitat, diet, and behaviors
- Understanding seasonal weather patterns and their implications
- Recognizing signs of natural disaster or environmental change
- Recalling lore about fey creatures, plant-based monsters, or elemental phenomena
- Knowing which terrain types support which kinds of life
Nature vs. Survival: Nature tells you about the wilderness (what that plant is, why those animals behave that way). Survival tells you how to operate in it (finding food, tracking, navigating). Both skills may be needed on the same wilderness expedition.
Passive Score
Passive Nature (10 + modifier) may be used to determine whether a character automatically recognizes a common natural hazard, a well-known plant, or a creature they have encountered frequently — without interrupting the narrative for a roll.
Proficiency
Nature proficiency is standard for Druids and Rangers. It is one of the four knowledge skills (alongside Arcana, History, and Religion). Wilderness-focused campaigns reward Nature heavily; dungeon-focused campaigns lean more on Arcana and Investigation.
Special
- Druid: Nature is a class skill; Druids serving as the party's wilderness experts often have both Nature (knowledge) and Survival (practice) proficiency.
- Ranger (Natural Explorer): Doubles proficiency bonus on Intelligence and Wisdom checks related to their favored terrain — this includes Nature checks about that terrain type.
- Speak with Plants / Animals (spells): Allow direct communication with flora and fauna, often replacing Nature checks with roleplay.
- Outlander background: Typically grants Survival and Athletics rather than Nature — a reminder that practical wilderness skill and academic knowledge of nature are distinct.