I don't think Ability Focus is gonna be that useful as grab/grapple rules don't involve a saving throw DC.
does it have a 3+ int? if so look at feral combat training combined with the various 'style' feats (dragon, tiger etc) and see if those could help you do what you want.
well at level 4 you get to increase any stat of your animal companion by one, most people choose int so that you animal companion can A)learn a language and B)choose any feat and put points into any skill(including putting a point into linguistics to understand common)
Int 3 is needed for Flyby attack anyways and soonest he could pick it up is level 5.
With a starting Con of 9, Toughness is a good choice for HD 1.
By second feat, Roc would have a BAB of 2, I'd suggest Weapon Focus (talons) as that's where most of your attacks are coming from if full-attacking, or Weapon Focus (bite) if ALL you ever intend to do is flyby attack, or better yet. Combat Reflexes, by level 7 will be getting you crazy amount of AoO's if you're smart about positioning thanks to its size+reach.
Int 3 is needed for Flyby attack anyways and soonest he could pick it up is level 5.
With a starting Con of 9, Toughness is a good choice for HD 1.
By second feat, Roc would have a BAB of 2, I'd suggest Weapon Focus (talons) as that's where most of your attacks are coming from if full-attacking, or Weapon Focus (bite) if ALL you ever intend to do is flyby attack, or better yet. Combat Reflexes, by level 7 will be getting you crazy amount of AoO's if you're smart about positioning thanks to its size+reach.
A Roc does not get reach when it increases size to large
Really? Ouch. Do any of the large sized animal companions get reach or does it have to specifically state it in their AC stats write-ups?
yes the ape/gorilla is the only animal companion with reach, since it is basically humanoid shaped.
yes the ape/gorilla is the only animal companion with reach, since it is basically humanoid shaped.
That simply is untrue.
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2m2fc?Large-Animal-Companions-ReachAttack-Penal tyACA lot of dinosaurs have reach.
axe beaks and the giant mantis also do.
I am sure there are others as well.
yes the ape/gorilla is the only animal companion with reach, since it is basically humanoid shaped.That simply is untrue.
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2m2fc?Large-Animal-Companions-ReachAttack-Penal tyACA lot of dinosaurs have reach.
axe beaks and the giant mantis also do.
I am sure there are others as well.
yes, sorry you are correct. i was thinking of just the list from the core rulebook for ones with reach.
@gutnedawg ah i didn't understand that at first, so youare looking for the first 2 feats before you raise its int. i would suggest weapon focus:talons and power attack in general. don't think anything else would help out of the list available. i wish they would expand that in the book coming out in february (animal archive) that's all about familiars/animal companions/mounts/other companion-like things
I don't think light armor proficiency is necessary since I can just get mithral and everything will be okay.Check the rules:
When worked like steel, it becomes a wonderful material from which to create armor, and is occasionally used for other items as well. Most mithral armors are one category lighter than normal for purposes of movement and other limitations. Heavy armors are treated as medium, and medium armors are treated as light, but light armors are still treated as light. This decrease does not apply to proficiency in wearing the armor. A character wearing mithral full plate must be proficient in wearing heavy armor to avoid adding the armor's check penalty to all his attack rolls and skill checks that involve moving. Spell failure chances for armors and shields made from mithral are decreased by 10%, maximum Dexterity bonuses are increased by 2, and armor check penalties are decreased by 3 (to a minimum of 0).You still need the proficiency to avoid penalties.
Of course, if you have the funds and since you are undoubtedly going to equip your familiar a masterwork saddle, have it enchanted to provide a continuous Mage Armor effect. Check with your GM, he may require you to use the more expensive costs for Bracers of Armor, but the upside is that allows you to gradually increase it to +8.
i'm sure he was talking about a mithril chain shirt, which gives no penalties because of the ACP being 0. it is what most people use for animal companions instead of wasting feats to get better. plus a mithril chain shirt costs much less than a magic mage armor saddle.