This is a repost from a different forum. I accidently posted in the wrong place initially.
Here's some background on the game i am in.
We have a Barbarian, Rogue, Bard, Priest (Desna), Sorcerer (Air Elemental) and me a Gnome Druid with his trusty Dire Weasel mount/animal companion.
I am playing the only non-human in the group.
We have been going through some of the Pathfinder series, have just completed the Skinsaw Murders and are about to start some new ones where we head into the mountains.
I had not played D&D since 2nd edition, so this 3.x edition has been a huge change to me,but I am old enough to remember the game since before the blue and red boxed set of original D&D and figured that it's no big deal to pick it up again and start anew.
When i made this character, the pathfinder core book had not be released yet, so i made assigned abilities based on the 3.5 rules.
I rolled higher than any rolls i have ever made for any character ever.
Here are his stats:
Str: 11 (13-2)
Dex:14
Con:20 (18+2)
Int:17
Wis:18 (17+1 lvl.4)
Cha:17(15+2)
The direction i was headed with this character is more of the direction of that cartoon character from the Teen Titans known as Beast Boy to help fill out some of the void of melee we have in the group.
Now, the DM houseruled that the shapechanging ability of the Druid will remain the same as it did in 3.5th edition, so i can guess i am lucky for that.
Where i need help is with some of the choices of skills and feats to take on my character.
I have purposely been avoiding any heavy combat due to not having picked any feats and have next to no knowledge of the animals and monsters anymore.
The new Beastiary will help.
Ok, now for a few questions on top of the above.
Do animal companions automatically start with improved grapple?
Is this a wise choice of a feat for a Dire weasel that is meant to be a mount and side-by-side fighting companion?
What other feats would make sense on a Dire weasel?
What Tricks beyond the basic combat mount tricks would make sense?
Is Craft:Woodworking a good craft for my druid to take so he can make his own armor/weapons with the Shape Wood spell and eventually Ironwood?
Is the feat Craft Wonderous Item a must have due to most likely a complete lack of druid items for a Gnome Druid?
Should i be looking more for feats like Improved unarmed fighting and Improved Grapple to allow for a better melee druid?
Is Improved Grapple needed to effectively make a pounce attack?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.