Wild shape forms and wands / rods

[Atalius]

Which respectable wild shape forms are good for wielding wands/rods for a druid capable of casting and melee'ing?

[Atalius]

Don't be shy Paizonians, I yearn for your feedback.

[Avoron]

Per the rules for Magic Item Slots for Animals, the only body types capable of grasping and carrying are avians and bipeds.

So at 4th and 5th level your best option is probably the deinonychus, or the dimorphodon if you want flight. At 6th and 7th level I'd go with the impaler shrike for a great flight speed and grab, but there's also the chalicotherium with scent and a pair of claw attacks. From 8th level on, the allosaurus is the classic choice with its lovely pounce/rake/grab routine, but the quetzalcoatlus or yolubilis heron make solid flying alternatives.

Finally, at high levels you can always turn into an earth elemental with a roughly humanoid form, getting some great bonuses, defensive abilities, and earth glide while still capable of holding and using items, as well as performing verbal and somatic components without the need of a feat.

[Atalius]

Avoron wrote:

Per the rules for Magic Item Slots for Animals, the only body types capable of grasping and carrying are avians and bipeds.

So at 4th and 5th level your best option is probably the deinonychus, or the dimorphodon if you want flight. At 6th and 7th level I'd go with the impaler shrike for a great flight speed and grab, but there's also the chalicotherium with scent and a pair of claw attacks. From 8th level on, the allosaurus is the classic choice with its lovely pounce/rake/grab routine, but the quetzalcoatlus or yolubilis heron make solid flying alternatives.

Finally, at high levels you can always turn into an earth elemental with a roughly humanoid form, getting some great bonuses, defensive abilities, and earth glide while still capable of holding and using items, as well as performing verbal and somatic components without the need of a feat.

This is awesome thank you. Are you saying in Earth Elemental form you wouldn't need to take Natural Spell in order to cast?

[Avoron]

Precisely! Here are the relevant rules:

Polymorph wrote:

While in such a form, you cannot cast any spells that require material components (unless you have the Eschew Materials or Natural Spell feat), and can only cast spells with somatic or verbal components if the form you choose has the capability to make such movements or speak, such as a dragon.

We know earth elementals are capable of speaking in Terran, and the subtype rules say that if they're generally humanoid in form they can make complex enough movements to wield weapons, so somatic components should be possible as well.

You can't use material components that are melded into your form, but with wild shape's long duration it's simple enough to set down your spell component pouch before you transform and pick it up afterward - or if you're expecting to be transforming in a hurry, you can invest in a polymorphic pouch.