questions about wild shape no one has asked yet

[WarrenCraftlocke]

I am working on an animal shaman and ive asked several people these and no one has an answer.

1: for example a lion shaman gets beast shape III at level 6 when turning into feline creatures. Does this apply to change into magical beasts that are feline? Like sphinx and griffons and manticores and chimerae?

2: taking #1 a bit further, could one change into an elemental lion and get your +2 wild shape levels? I understand one wouldnt get the stat bonuses for both beast shape and elemental body, just elemental body. But which elemental body spell would you use? what level could you start using it?
I think using plant shape like this is a bit too far. Although... are there any plant creatures that could be considered feline?

3: what makes a creature qualify as feline? or ursine? or simian? or canine? There is no type or subtype for these things.

4: what do we base natural attack damage upon? is it as the creature in the bestiary? or is it according to the table for natural attacks by type and size? do we get a modified crit range/damage from a creatures feats or SQs and whatnot?

5: do we get racial skill modifiers and feats of the form? possibly racial traits of humanoids with 1000 faces?

6: If a druid happened to get barding for their wild shape form would it blend into their normal form upon changing back? (the reverse of normal polymorph/equipment rule) Can a druid wild shaped even wear barding? I would assume nothing metal but otherwise do they have proficiency and such?

7: when wild shaping into a tiny or smaller critter, does one effectively get weapon finesse during that form?

[Slazz]

1: Yes
2: I wanna say no, but it would be up to the DM I suppose. In Society though, I'd think no.
3: Common Sense
4: Beastiary.
5: No, Except for Speed mods to Jump checks, which are from the speed.
6: A Druid can wear barding, but it's generally accepted that you have to remove it before shifting back.
7: No

[Talynonyx]

1. You cannot change into magical beasts with wild shape.
2. An elemental is not a lion, so no.
3. Being a feline. This would require GM adjudication.
4. The Bestiary entry.
5. No, you do not get any of those.
6. A druid wild shaped could wear barding. They would have whatever proficiency they normally have. Since gear only melds when you cast the spell, the barding would need to be removed before shifting back.
7. No.

[Illeist]

Talynonyx wrote:

1. You cannot change into magical beasts with wild shape.

2. An elemental is not a lion, so no.
3. Being a feline. This would require GM adjudication.
4. The Bestiary entry.
5. No, you do not get any of those.
6. A druid wild shaped could wear barding. They would have whatever proficiency they normally have. Since gear only melds when you cast the spell, the barding would need to be removed before shifting back.
7. No.

Eeyup.