Best Feats, Tricks or Other Enhancements for Animal Companions

[Marc Radle]

I'm curious - what do folks consider the best feats to take for animal companions? How about the best tricks? What other improvements/enhancements are particularly awesome for an animal companion?

[Magda Luckbender]

It varies drastically by role. No one has yet published the definitive Pathfinder guide to Animal Companions, despite it being a very common class feature. One person did recently gather information from the community on these boards, with the stated intention of doing just that.

[LeesusFreak]

It really depends on if you want a mount, a flanking buddy, a meat wall, or a nuclear tractor...

[Lord Foul II]

Agreed but the feat "improved natural attack" is a part of pretty much every build though.

[Hmm]

The best guide I've found is the Druid's Log: Animal Companions discussion thread. Flutter is a wonderful person to talk to about you and your animal companion, and there are a lot of other people who chime in there too.

Hmm

[ohako]

I like the feat Charge Through for the movement goodness. Basically you can override one enemy (and use Trample if you've got a hoof), while your rider can use Spirited Charge on something else.

I don't think you really need Improved Natural Attack if you're riding around on a Huge griffon, for instance.

[LeesusFreak]

Wheeling Charge, the Racer archetype, and Escape Route (Rider needs it to, to work) are great for mounts.

[Captain Beaky and his band]

Narrow Frame is key for large+ AC's

[Roan]

How about Celestial Servent to give your AC the celestial template?

[Magda Luckbender]

I second Captain Beaky about the usefulness of the Narrow Frame feat. My first few Animal Companions did not take it, and were usually left behind when the going got tight. Narrow frame, on the other hand, usually allows one to bring one's Animal Companion into distinctly medium-sized spaces.

I haven't done a careful count, but it seems 1/3 to 1/2 of all PFS encounters take place in tight spaces. Partly this seems to be map-maker habit: maps are usually not very big, and rarely represent a tactical space bigger than 20 meters on a side. Tight, crowded spaces are common. Thus, the Narrow Frame feat frequently comes into play.

[Captain Beaky and his band]

Use a mithral chain shirt instead of taking/needing light armour proficiency - the penalties are reduced to zero - this saves a feat.
Try to get your DM allow a giant praying mantis as they fly/climb and have decent attacks and can nibble on grabbed foes, freeing up your regular attacks. The mantis is often overlooked but is very solid.

[Captain Beaky and his band]

Ability focus grapple is good and Eldritch claws for DR.