I am a level 2 Druid on my first PFS character deciding how to level into level 3. My character idea is a Divine support/healing spellcaster with a "tanky" animal companion. I am not planning on focusing on full offensive spellcasting or Wild Shape combat.
If I am a druid with an animal companion, and cross-class into a Shaman and get a spirit animal (using familiar rules), would using both be acceptable for play in Society games?
The FAQ states:
"How many animals can I have at any given time?
During the course of a scenario, you may have one combat animal and as many noncombat animals as you like. Noncombat animals (ponies, horses, pet dogs, and so on) cannot participate in combat at all. If you have so many noncombat animals that their presence is slowing a session down, the GM has the right to ask you to select one noncombat animal and leave the rest behind. A summoner's eidolon is considered an animal companion for the purposes of counting combat and noncombat animals. If you have more than one class-granted animal companion (or eidolon), you must choose which will be considered the combat animal at the start of the scenario. In general, a mount, a familiar or mundane pet, and your class-granted animal(s) are acceptable, but more than that can be disruptive."
I am confused because familiars *can* participate in combat, but the final sentence mentions familiars and multiple class-granted animals as being acceptable.
I am interested in dipping three levels into Shaman because it supports my character's RP focus and I can make use of a Hex, an expanded spell-list, and a familiar that can deliver touch spells (cures, buffs, or debuffs). I want to make sure that familiar usage is within the rules and won't be disruptive for GMs or other players.
If the familiar is not acceptable to play alongside my Druid animal companion, I will likely not bother with Shaman. Are there other options for cross-classing that would support my character as a Divine/Support spellcaster with an animal companion, or should I just go full druid?
If the familiar is valid to have on the table, which of the following would be acceptable to do with a bird spirit animal?
Deliver Touch Spells
Aid Another in combat
Aid Another with skills
Set Up Flanking Bonus
Scouting / Perception usefulness
