Best Animal Companion to Transmute?

[Master of the Dark Triad]

So after careful deliberation (I am extremely indecisive when it comes to making characters) I will play in an upcoming campaign as a sylvan sorcerer who transmutes his pet into various creatures to fight in melee for him.

I am looking for a few tips here and there, as explained further in this list:

1. I've been out of the loop for the better part of the year. Are there any new companions that would be better than an allosaurus (which, to my knowledge, is better than a tiger)?

2. Are there any new polymorph spells that might be useful?

3. Are there any new feats that might be useful for this build? I recently came across Spell Sponge, which looks AWESOME.

4. Lastly, how does one go about building a companion into a melee monster? What equipment and feats will I want to eventually get?

Thanks in advance :)

[Master of the Dark Triad]

Bump

[Hmm]

Have you looked at this guide?

Abusing Animals: Non-Druid Spells to Use on Your Animal Companions.

Generally speaking, the Dinos and the Big Cats win because they have the best base stats.

Socially, I think that tigers are more acceptable than dinos. I've actually brought my tiger into social scenarios, bluffing that we were entertainers. My tiger has a few tricks to support this, including fetch.

I love playing a sylvan sorcerer. I think that you will too.

I am going to throw out a suggestion that may sound odd, but bear with me. Go human. You get a great FCB for Sorcerers, and you can take Eye for Talent. Instead of sticking that boost in strength, I am going to suggest putting it in INT. This will let you start out with an IQ 4 critter that can have 13 tricks and greatly diversify what you do with it out of combat -- tracking, grappling and other things.

Check out the tricks in animal archive, and you'll see how many possibilities there are.

Hmm

[Movin]

1.Spinosarus animal companion starts with an 18 STR, L7 size increase puts it at 26 without the AC Str/Dex boosts.
If you are looking for raw damage potential I don't think there are any more powerful, only problem is its doesn't get pounce in its base form. Opposite that is the fact that polymorph spells gives it pounce anyway so no reall loss once you start getting Beast shape 2 or higher.

2. not that I can think of

3.No real new ones, multi attack and power attack for the pouncy monsters. Iron will is a very intelligent choice.

4. Magic items to boost strength and stuff to shore up the animal companions god awful will save (cuz confusion on the 32STR pouncy death monster is bad news.)
As for items the Beastbond Brand is a nice one for AC's lets you get reach on buff spells. Limited number of uses and level of spells though.

And the one you didn't ask.
The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.

For low levels this would mean you could target your animal companion with enlarge person. Alter person would also work as an impromptu disguise to turn your tiger into a guy named tony for a few minutes.

[jwes55]

Or if you're a sorceror, you can buff your pet with Mage Armor wand and Shield for a cool +8 AC.

Had a Spinosaurus in PFS but it's not currently allowable-if anyone knows different by all means let me know because I loved that dino. If you're homebrewing it, Spino is really the way to go - 28 Strength unbuffed at HD7 plus Power Attack = good fun.

Amulet of Mighty Fists is pretty nice for an AC once you can afford the 4k.

Hmm is dead on - cats and dinos win, Roc if you want something with flight, Thylacine is meh but has a high CON and you can buff w/ Bull Strength. Flight-wise, is there anything better than a Roc?