I'm new to playing Pathfinder but used to playing a Druid so with the new set up for animal companions i have a few questions. When you pick what animal you want does it still get its extra hit dice. Like a wolf have 2d plus level 1 animal companion charts 2d for a total of 4d? Also do you have to start them with no skills or feats or do they get what they have in the bestiary and then add on top of them?
Lastly is there any info about the Beastlord pre from Pathfinder? If so could someone give me the link where please. Thank you :)
Ok, I can't really answer the second part of your question about the Beastlord, but I can help with the first.
Animal companions don't use the rules in the beastiary. Animal companions have now become a template system rather than a series of completely separate entities. For example: you choose a wolf. Check the wolf stat block under the animal companion section to determine the basic stuff like ability scores, bonuses to skills, feats, movement, size, etc. Then check the animal companion chart to determine how many HD the animal has and any additional bonuses it may receive. This is different from 3.5, when the chart offered bonus HD. All animal companions start with 2HD, and then progress at the same rate. With the exception of some of the new animal companions in the beastiary, you shouldn't need to consult the book for anything short of understanding what a specific ability or feat does.
I hope that helps.
Yep that help very much. Thank you :)