I think I have read a rule someplace that says that the extra small creatures use dex for attacks, skills and CMB, but I cannot find it anywhere.
Did I dream it up?
You might be thinking of familiars. It says to calculate their attack bonus using strength or dex, whichever is higher. That's almost the same as saying that familiars automatically get weapon finesse. But it doesn't apply to everything tiny in size.
Under the CMB it does actually say that all Tiny and smaller creatures may substitute dex instead of strength toward their CMB. Which somewhat helps to make up for their size penalties to CMB. Regular attack rolls don't say anything about this though.
Also for Climb and Swim skill checks, tiny creatures may use dex instead of strength.
Climb and Swim: Yes.
Weapon Finesse, no. That's not a rule, although most small predators have Weapon Finesse as a feat or bonus feat (in the case of vermin).
I think I have read a rule someplace that says that the extra small creatures use dex for attacks, skills and CMB, but I cannot find it anywhere.
Did I dream it up?
The individual monster entries frequently mention these items for smaller creatures, but they do not apply unless specifically cited. Typically you will see among the feats "Weapon Finesse" with a "B" superscript (indicating a bonus feat) and a note under racial skill modifiers that skills like Climb and Swim are modified by dexterity. The only place that is given as a general rule is in the (first) Bestiary entry for creatures that can be (normal) Familiars.
well at least I wasn't dreaming.
Thank you.
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Yeah, it works for CMB. But sadly most maneuvers are limited to one size larger or only work on foes w/ manufactured weapons. The only real option for such a character is grapple, which PF actually removed all size restrictions on, oddly enough. You could hypothetically make a pixie that suplexes the tarrasque.