I know what I can change into .. but the reading is making it difficult to understand what stats improve. I want to have it all written out and ready to use next time .
I also dont understand elemental body powers like whirlwind and push .. and animal body things .. how/why would they be used ...
any help is super awesome!!
Well the stats you gain are based on the size you assume rather then the shape. The bonuses are added onto your existing stats. Rather then replacing your stats with those of the creature who's shape you're assuming.
Depending on what version of beast shape you have access too you can get additional abilities from your form you choose.
Beast Shape has been very simplified since it's incarnation in 3.x.
Elemental Body explains all of the abilities gained by each elemental.
You may also want to browse through the Transmutation section on Polymorph.
Treantmonk's Guide to Druid's; Spirit of the Beast is a great source of information about this topic.