I have a concept for a Sacred Huntmaster (Inquisitor) that I'm working on as a back-up character or character for future use. There are good guides for the Inquisitor class and for archery-based switch hitting, which is the combat style that I envision using, and there are good guides for Animal Companions, though they do tend to slant towards the most numerically advantageous (Tiger or T-Rex).
I'm seeking guidance on how to build a small cat animal companion (anticipating using the 4th level size change to Medium). Paizo products only. The AC's feats and potential magical items are what I need the most assistance with, although I'll take opinions on the Teamwork Feats to take (other than Outflank + Pack Tactics) and skills (I'm planning on investing in Climb to ensure it can follow through bizarre dungeon situations). The AC should be able to hold it's own in combat, but I'm also looking for new ways to use it (like boosting it's maneuvers--adding onto the Trip it receives or new ones like Dirty Tricks).
It can be build either as an AC starting with an Int of 4 (Human replacement trait Eye for Talent) OR taking the first Stat increase to apply to Int. This matters because it determines what feats are options at which levels for the sake of prerequisites.
Also assume that, at base, it only receives the PFS slots--neck and barding--unless Additional Item Slots is taken, although the character is not for PFS.
Thanks!
EDIT: P.S. If you can show me a large cat that forgoes the size change (thus remaining Medium) that is better suited for a particular build or style than the Medium small cat, I'm open to that, too.
The choice of a cat is mostly a thematic choice. I could, in theory, go with a bear or a wolf (or any other cold weather animal) and fit within my concept. I like cats. However, I can better explain, especially at low levels, a cat climbing vertical surfaces or swimming or leaping pits and such. Keep in mind I didn't say the bear or wolf could not within the rules, only that at my Table, I could explain it better with a cat doing it.
Dinosaurs are disallowed for thematic reasons.
While the advantages to a Large large cat are obvious, the GM dislikes large ACs in urban or dungeon settings, where most of our campaigns take place. We are aware of squeeze rules and other magical options. Enlarging a small or medium AC (or party member) temporarily isn't a problem, though (so the Dire Collar is a good option).
I keep forgetting about the absence of ACP on certain light armors, thus skipping over the Light Armor Proficiency feat. Thanks!
Further information on the limits: our games usually run to 14-15 level, and WBL is approximately 20% below average wealth and, not a hard restriction, I'd probably be trying to keep money spent on animal gear to 25% (or less).
Regarding the character, I had compared the Divine Hunter hunter archetype to the Sacred Huntmaster inquisitor archetype. While I really liked the spell options given by the hunter, the loss of free and auto-sharable Teamwork Feats seemed like too high a price to pay.
I have a hunter where I used a small cat. I used the alternate advancement and actually kept him small. Instead of the usual 4th level benefits and growing to medium, he gets +2 DEX and +2 CON. I'm not sure if you get Animal Focus with that Archetype but a small cat, with alternate advancement, and the DEX animal focus put my cat's DEX through the roof. I added Weapon Finesse (obviously) and Agile Maneuvers which I may not have needed with the Weapon Finesse rule, but it was PFS and didn't want any issues. If your GM doesn't need Agile maneuvers, Iron Will may not be a bad idea. I also had to waste a feat on Magic Item slot because of PFS, which you won't need to.
The only magic item I have for him is an Amulet of Mighty Fists Agile. At 8th level I'm pretty sure he has a 30 DEX due to Animal Focus at +4, but you could use a belt of DEX to do the same thing. His CMB is +13, which isn't amazing, but can trip most things on an 11 or 12, and it's a free try to do it, and +10 do damage with 3 attacks at +15 to hit. So if both claws and the bite hit that's about 35 damage at 8th level. I mean it's not doing a one shot on a dragon or anything, but it's a nice boost to DPR.
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All you need for a small cat animal companion. Don't increase its size at level 4. Thus granting you a +2 Dex, and Con. Save up and get a amulet of mighty fist Agile. Giving the small cat a Dex mod to damage on all attacks. Yes it's a 4k item. The cat is still effective up till then. It just dose much more damage after the fact. This is just a suggestion and what it can look like. If you play human with Eye for talent you could bump its Dex by 2 more.
Feet's Druid level
1: Weapon Finesses (Trip triggers off bite so it will use the same modifiers as the weapon (Bite) for tripping.)
2: Dodge (You get a point of AC out of this and you don't have the Str for power attack yet.)
5: Power Attack
8: Toughness
Starting: Small Cat
Size Small
Speed 50 ft.
AC natural armor 1 Size 1 Dex 5 Leather Barding 2 Total AC 19
To Hit BAB 1 Dex 5 Size 1 = 7
Attack bite +7(1d4+1 plus trip), 2 claws +7(1d2+1);
Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6;
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
CMD Trip +5 (CMD BAB 1 Dex 5 Size -1 = 5)
HP 11 (Using PFSP rules 4.5 per level + Con mod)
Level 6: Small Cat (Level 4 bonus Con) With out items.
Size Small
Speed 50 ft.
AC natural armor 5 Size 1 Dodge 1 Dex 6 Leather Barding 2 Total AC 25
To Hit BAB 4 Dex 7 Size +1 Power Attack -1 = 11
Attack bite +11(1d4+3 plus trip), 2 claws +11(1d2+2)
Ability Scores Str 14, Dex 25, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent
CMD Trip +9 (CMD BAB 4 Dex 7 Size -1 Power Attack -1 = 9)
HP 45
Amulet of Mighty Fist: Agile changes damage to +9 (4,000 gold)
Trading Leather Armor for Wand of Mage Armor bumps his AC to 28 (750 gold)
Thank you, gentlemen. This was helpful. I had subconsciously dismissed the Agile route--I had a poor experience with a Bird AC trying to do this, but it was level-3 (and a bird).
Something I forgot to mention was that the Teamwork feats add to CMB. He's always flanking for +4, and gets another +4 on AoO. So any AoO shoot his CMB up to very respectable 21.