how to be a jack of all trades sort of druid in pathfinder

[about50heavies]

I have seen guides online such as treantmonk's guide on druids suggesting focus on either melee or spell casting druid. Is there any way/builds to meet half way and still be relatively effective in higher levels
Edit: sorry for placing in the general roleplaying forum when i should have placed it into the d&d 3.5 section

[navar100]

It's mostly about the ability scores, I think. If you can manage 16 ST and 16 WI at 1st level, you're good. The tricky part is not to dump CO or DX as well. 25 Point Buy gets you ST 14 DX 14 CO 14 IN 10 WI 16 CH 10, being human makes the ST a 16. 20 Point Buy is ST 14 DX 14 CO 14 IN 8 WI 16 CH 7, human makes the ST 16. In either case, ability score improvements for leveling go into Wisdom. Wildshaping takes care of Strength. Buff spells takes care of defense as well as attack spells. Dice rolling for stats depends on what you get.

[about50heavies]

how do i move this thread into the d&d 3.5 forum

[Snowbluff]

how do i move this thread into the d&d 3.5 forum

I think you are supposed to PM a Mod or click the report button to get their attention. It's in the right subforum, anyway. :smalltongue:

[about50heavies]

what would be some good summons to use? what would be some good animals to try to train to be my guard/attack/general use animal

[Snowbluff]

Summoning an Eagle is usually a good bet early on.

I am partial to Giant Frog Animal Companions.

[avr]

Cats big or small make decent animal companions in PF. Elementals are useful summons if you speak their language, wolves can trip and crocodiles can grapple.

[grarrrg]

I have seen guides online such as treantmonk's guide on druids suggesting focus on either melee or spell casting druid. Is there any way/builds to meet half way and still be relatively effective in higher levels

Quick and dirty way
Shapeshifting Hunter (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/shapeshifting-hunter) feat.
Take 1 level of Ranger, and you get FULL Favored Enemy progression.

Find a way to get Instant Enemy (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/i/instant-enemy) on your spell list, and you're good to go.
Samsaran (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/uncommon-races/arg-samsaran) with Mystic Past Life option would be the quickest way to get the spell on your list.

Even without Instant Enemy, a careful selection of Favored opponents can be quite a boost.

[about50heavies]

i would prefer not to multiclass. what are some decent spells at low level since i am starting in a new campaign soon

[about50heavies]

what would be good feats for lion animal companion