trying to optimize a druid animal shaman

[inhuman_candyman]

So i haven't played a druid before. i like the concept for roleplaying purposes, but have never looked into building one until now so im am lost on good feats to make him mechanically sound. Most if the stuff is not in the core books you will have to list references so i can print some stuff.
I have been looking into the animal shaman archetype and really like the concepts. I really like the idea of the idea of the serpent shaman and between myself and constrictor companion being a grapple team. I don't know how to make this functionally work well or if it can be done.

[Nefreet]

You're more likely to get good suggestions in the Advice Forum. This is the PFS General Discussion Forum, for asking PFS-specific campaign and rules questions.

(though a moderator will likely move this there eventually anyways)

[pauljathome]

Druids (and shamans) are sufficiently powerful that I wouldn't worry TOO much about making it efficient. As long as you take reasonable options you'll be fine.

[DesolateHarmony]

PFS gives you a 20-point buy, which is pretty good for an animal shaman. But really, you have to decide if you are going to primarily be a wild-shaped melee combatant first, or a caster first. They have different builds and feat progressions.

Guides are really useful for this sort of thing, but you have to be able to adjust to the specifics: Druid guide with animal shamans

[Matthew Pittard]

Get thee foul optomiser! from this place. It is not for you!

[pauljathome]

DesolateHarmony wrote:

PFS gives you a 20-point buy, which is pretty good for an animal shaman. But really, you have to decide if you are going to primarily be a wild-shaped melee combatant first, or a caster first. They have different builds and feat progressions.

Guides are really useful for this sort of thing, but you have to be able to adjust to the specifics: Druid guide with animal shamans

I disagree with this. PFS rewards versatility. You'll be better off building your druid so that it can do a decent job at BOTH melee AND spellcasting. Not in any particular scenario, admittedly. But over the career that versatility will really pay off.

All the guides tell you to specialize. While probably good advice for a home campaign it is NOT good PFS advice. Spread your stat points, feats and purchases around.

In some scenarios my druid (lion shaman now retired at l13) was the party tank, in some she was the healer, sometimes the scout, etc. Her role varied a lot depending on what else was at the table.

[inhuman_candyman]

DesolateHarmony wrote:

PFS gives you a 20-point buy, which is pretty good for an animal shaman. But really, you have to decide if you are going to primarily be a wild-shaped melee combatant first, or a caster first. They have different builds and feat progressions.

Guides are really useful for this sort of thing, but you have to be able to adjust to the specifics: Druid guide with animal shamans

thank you for the link. it's usefulness can not be stressed enough for a first time druid user.

[Taenia]

The biggest issue you will have with serpent shaman in pfs is the lack of large and huge grappling snakes. Emperor Cobra exists for large but there are no huge snakes and unlike the Eagle shaman they were not given the FAQ to fix this gap. This means your grab/constrict in wild shape will be highly limited.

The other issue with the shaman is feats. The 5th level ability is awesome and you want to take a look at Augment Summoning and Sp Focus Conjuration for it. A grapple build though wants both Improved Grapple and Greater Grapple but these required improved unarmed strike. Combined with natural spell this makes it hard to get in all the feats you might want.