I am wanting to build a melee focused character (will be using the Red Mantis Assassin archetype) and I was looking for advice/help in doing so.
Are there any race options that offer an Animal Companion as a race specific feat? Are there any other ways to gain an animal companion other than Druid, Ranger, or the Beastmaster Archetype?
I realize my main option may have to be Ranger for the melee I want, but I am really hoping theres a race option that gains the companion so I can be a different class entirely.
No, the animal companion feats are beyond the scope of what an ancestry feat could support. There are a few other archetypes that give animal companions like Cavilier, Drake Rider, and Undead Master, but those won't help with a shortage of feats.
If you're just looking for a mount, Sprites can get a Corgi Familiar to ride upon, though tiny creatures are a notoriously bad choice for a melee class.
After some review I see the Champion also get a Mount specific Animal Companion, and perhaps if I make him a Goblin there is a way to get a wolf mount? Though, not sure a Champion could worship Achaekek.
Ultimately, trying to stay away from Druid or Ranger but options may be extremely limited.
Orc can get a "pet" with a racial feat but I haven't found a way to turn that into an actual Animal Companion.
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Flurry ranger works quite well with the Red Mantis Assassin archetype.
But you'd be better off getting your Animal Companion from Beastmaster than from Ranger (since the Ranger companion lags behind in advancing).
But this is going to be VERY feat intensive. Basically, 1/2 your feats are going to the companion.
Purely mechanically, probably not worth the cost. Especially at mid to high levels where companions drop off in value. But the character will still be quite viable and its cool (especially if you can convince the GM to reflavour something as a Giant Mantis).