Ratfolk PCs using handle animal to influence Dire Rat (COMBAT)

[Hulka Smash]

Hi!

I'm running my first Adventure Path as a DM and one of my players is a Ratfolk Summoner and the party is about to go down into the bilges of the Wormwood to fight dire rats.

I was wondering what would happen if the Ratfolk PC wanted to use "Handle Animal" to subdue the rats so that they do not attack them.

I've read the rules of Handle Animal and the dire rat's stats and I would think it's not possible to do so. But at the same time, the description of Rodent Empathy says "Ratfolk gain a +4 racial bonus on Handle Animal checks made to influence rodents", so I was wondering if he could "influence" the dire rats before or mid-combat.

I would appreciate your input. Thanks!

[Dave Justus]

He would need something like a druid's wild empathy class feature (which would be enhanced by his rodent empathy racial ability).

[Cevah]

He can do it with Handle Animal.

He must use the "Push", as the dire rat does not know the "Down" or "Flee" trick. [Maybe even the "Stay" command.]

The DC is 25.

However, even with the +4, hitting that DC is nigh impossible.

/cevah