Are there any feats that can make a wolf better at tripping? I hadn't realized that my wolf companion would be unable to take Combat Expertise, the prerequisite for all of the [i]trip[i] feats (Improved Trip, Greater Trip, Fury's Fall). Is there a way for a wolf companion to qualify for Improved Trip and Greater Trip without having a 13 INT?
Not that I know of. But you do realize they get the equivalent to Improved Trip for free?
The "Trip" special quality gives them a trip attack as a free action and without provoking an AoO when making a hit with bite.
It is possible to give a wolf 13 intelligence. Put all your level advancements to INT, give it a Tome of Clear Thought +5, and have it wear a Headband of Vast Intelligence +6. Now you have one really smart wolf who qualifies for Combat Expertise. Expensive but possible.
Other feats that enhance tripping:
Tandem Trip
Weapon Finesse (if Dex higher than Str)
Weapon Focus (Bite)
In addition, the larger the wolf gets, the more the size bonus he gets.
*sigh*
I was hoping that wolves, as natural trippers, would somehow have an exception from that requirement.
The rules state:
"Animal companions with an Intelligence of 3 or higher can select any feat they are physically capable of using. GMs might expand this list to include feats from other sources."
Just get the wolf's intelligence up to a 3, then have it learn Improved Trip. I don't think a rational GM would have an issue with this.
Since your companion is a wolf pack-like tactics would be a natural fit. Take a look at the teamwork feats for:
tandem trip (roll twice for trips when the other threatens)
out flank (flank bonus to +4)
pack tactics (extra 5ft moves)
coordinated maneuvers (+2 cmb)
The down side is you both have to take a feat and thatnthey are situational. The up side is since it's your AC you control the tactics. It's also great from a flavor standpoint.