PFS: Optimizing Centipede Animal Companion

[Mars Roma]

Note: I am limited to PFS rules. No other Animal Companion aside from any other Insect(except crab, I don't consider that an Insect)

I would like some help decking out my Centipede Animal Companion. Classes are limited to either Druid(don't know which domain) or Sylvan Sorcerer.
I do plan on eventually giving him a 3 INT for obvious reasons. Probably around 4th or 5th level(using the 4th level ability score bonus and a Headband of Vast Intelligence +2).
I'm taking Boon companion at 1st level for the Sylvan Sorcerer and a trait that allows for Handle Animal as a Class Skill.

Any suggestions are welcomed

[I Hate Nickelback]

First of all, you're right: insects are an entirely different biological class than crabs, which are crustaceans. A+ in biology!

Second of all, make sure you put your first ability score increase into the centipede's INT, for feats and stuff.

As for a better insect than a centipede, I like giant wasps. The fly speed is helpful.

What do you want your character to do? Druid and sylvan sorc are both good, but to choose one, we need to know more.

[Whale_Cancer]

I Hate Nickelback wrote:

First of all, you're right: insects are an entirely different biological class than crabs, which are crustaceans. A+ in biology!

Although both are arthropods! Bonus marks!

[Titania, the Summer Queen]

Hey Mars, unfortunately your centipede starts at intelligence 0(zero). It will take it awhile to get to 3.

[I Hate Nickelback]

Whale_Cancer wrote:

I Hate Nickelback wrote:

First of all, you're right: insects are an entirely different biological class than crabs, which are crustaceans. A+ in biology!

Although both are arthropods! Bonus marks!

Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species :D

[Pupsocket]

Well....first of, poison use is generally a poor tactic. Ability damage that isn't Constitution doesn't really contribute to ending an enemy any quicker. Two rounds after your centipede has bitten an enemy, he MIGHT have a -1 to AC, reflex and ranged attacks. By that time, he will usually be down.

If it's PFS, you can't even take Ability Focus for the posion. All you can do is go for Spring Attack on the little guy. Most of the time, you should just sit back and look at other people's animal companions doing many, many times the damage your companion is doing.

Keep it hidden away? Use it as a scout? I don't know. I wanted a viper companion, and it's just so unrelentingly terrible at fighting.

[Mars Roma]

You guys and your crabs.
Sorry i didn't specify, but i wish for my animal Companion to be as Combat Effective as possible. I know it wont be anywhere near as efficient as a Saurian Druid(like not even in the same galaxy). None the less I wish for him to go in and attempt to kick some ass.
If i wanted to go munchkin id have a tiger or lion as a Animal companion and have him pounce things into oblivion. Cant imagine anything more boring(aside from the aforementioned Saurian).

[I Hate Nickelback]

So, what do you want your character to be able to do? If you want him to be able to buff and support your bug friend, then go druid. If not, then sorcerer.

[FLite]

Mars Roma wrote:

Headband of Vast Intelligence +2

Remember that it cannot actually use a headband of intelect unless centipede has a headband slot in the table in Animal Archive, *and* your AC takes the feat "Extra Slot (headband)

[Pupsocket]

Mars Roma wrote:

You guys and your crabs.

Sorry i didn't specify, but i wish for my animal Companion to be as Combat Effective as possible. I know it wont be anywhere near as efficient as a Saurian Druid(like not even in the same galaxy). None the less I wish for him to go in and attempt to kick some ass.
If i wanted to go munchkin id have a tiger or lion as a Animal companion and have him pounce things into oblivion. Cant imagine anything more boring(aside from the aforementioned Saurian).

The key to using a bad animal companion effectively...is realizing that it sucks. Don't ever take a full attack from an enemy with multiple attacks. Keep moving. When you're fighting a bear, for example, taking an opportunity attack and a charge is better than taking a full attack. Suck up opportunity atacks that would have threatened the other party members.

If you have to double-move to corner a caster or archer, do that - the loss of your single attack doesn't mean much.