Ok hitting the L10 milestone with my Ranger, and had originally gone down the path of picking a Wolf as the iconic choice (Dinosaurs and flying mounts are out) to replace the Small Cat.
I was originally thinking of taking a Wolf, dumping the stat bump into Int, taking Dazzling Display and Intimidating prowess off Wep Foc (Bite) and use it as a battlefield control tool.
Once I realised that Intim isn't a 'class skill', and the CHA means -2 Intim from the get go, this started looking 'unviable' (basically by dropping 2 of the 6 skill points into Intim, you get intim 6... which grudgingly bumps to 10 if the targets are smaller...which aint often) which basically would only be good for scaring little old ladies and very small children.
So I instead turn the creature over to the collective Hive Mind and ask them to Pimp My Wolf!
(I'm keen on Wolves, as the Ranger has a Wolf mount, so its like..."Go team Wolfpack...AROOOOO!")
PS All good with taking some M/Work Studded Barding etc, just nothing too fancy, we are a bit cash strapped, keeping the 3 Int, and CORE only...
I would raise it INT so it could take teamwork feats(Persice Strikeand Out Flank. The base idea it the pet is there to better and help you out. It give you +4 hit in Flank Pluss a 1d6 Damage. Then Dodge, Mobilty, Spring Attack to set up in flank. While you have full attack. Shot It could Aid Other you to give +6 while in a flank.
Now this would mean you have to have those feat as well but the team work pet pluss two weapon ranger nasty mean. Plus Trip that +8 to your attack.
Light Armor if you have Cash. other wise Skip it.
Might have to have a look at the Teamwork Feats, the character was rolled Pre APG, so didn't worry about it too much...
At the moment its been more of a clasic archer type Ranger.
Power Attack, Imp Bullrush, Mighty Blow?
Could be good for throwing around oponents up to size M and planting them on their backsides. Get to pitch them 10' or into objects... and they end up Prone. CMB works out roughly 11 for such an attempt.
Hmmm