I noticed the orc fcb gave +1/2 to all animal companion natural attacks, so I'm going to try to make a horc druid based around maximising the animal companion without detracting too much from the druid's usual casting, even if that isn't a particularly "optimised" thing to do.
Sticking to PFS rules, what can you recommend to push this character forward? Any animal companions in particular gain a lot of attacks? any feats like Spirit's Gift you'd recommend? any archetypes that could help? any level dips that outweigh the spellcasting, wildshape & FCB loss?
PS: I've read generalised druid guides, but they seem to focus on optimising the spellcrafting side, and all the guides I found are pretty outdated now...
This is fine.
Trading in your FCB to help out your animal is not likely to cripple you, it should have no real impact on your ability as a spellcaster.
I wouldn't recommend if you where building towards melee as you would be a lot more dependent on the hit points you are giving up.
If you are caster focused Menhir savant looks nice, it offers the chance to occasionally boost your caster level which can increase the power of many spells and help beat spell resistance.
I don't know that I'd use this FCB, but half orc druids are a fun bunch altogether, I guess that my 3.5/Eberron experience would carry over to PF, even PFS.
As for the animal companion, use a classic, wolf or wolverine... something altogether carnivorous and attack oriented.
The Half-Orc FCB is nothing compared to the potential of:
Granted, it would take some work to use - either with the spell Rage (Gorum-worshipping Druid special spell access rules) or with dipping two levels of Barbarian and taking a lot of Extra Rage with Ferocious Beast. But being able to launch both you and your pet into a +8STR/CON Rage is kind of insane.
I noticed the orc fcb gave +1/2 to all animal companion natural attacks, so I'm going to try to make a horc druid based around maximising the animal companion without detracting too much from the druid's usual casting, even if that isn't a particularly "optimised" thing to do.
Sticking to PFS rules, what can you recommend to push this character forward?
Bad news, but a lot of the Orc stuff, like this, isn't actually legal in PFS.
oh yeah, for PFS HOrcs are only human and half-orc, not orcs.
oh yeah, for PFS HOrcs are only human and half-orc, not orcs.
That may be a rule too, but that option isn't legal regardless. Almost none of the orc options are.
It isn't the most optimal for the animal companion, but the feat bully breed could help with synergy between the druid and companion. Companion attacks and demoralizes, druid then throws a save or lose spell with at the same foe taking the -2. Works better if your companion has one attack and is large sized normally (getting the intimidate bonuses), like Wolf, T-rex, or Ankylosaurus. I'm partial towards the latter for such a build because it offers a huge AC, and makes the most deadly part of the animal companion more likely to work the next round. Plus it works with Goliath Druid's enlarge abilities.