1. Pathfinder doesn't give *4 skill pts for 1st. lvl, so it doesn't matter when i take it, it was a role-playing fluff thing anyway, prob. wasn't the best as i don't have a full attack to take advantage of my pounce, but i thought the extra 4 hp would be handy, and the whirling frenzy rage alternate class feature i took (UA) gives a bonus to AC.
2. Yeh, IMHO it's the most efficient way to get pounce with the least effect on the playability at every level. I thought about taking 4 lvls of Psychic Warrior (Psionic Lion's Charge), but that's 4 lvls with no SA. The other alternative was 9th lvl initiator, too long to wait.
3. +6 Dex, +2 Wis, SR, Inertial Armour and Catfall, all good stuff. Only +1 LA in Pathfinder and I'm buying it back at 4th lvl (UA).
Dex is good for AC, Attack, Damage, Reflex. Wis is good for AC (Swordsage), and Will.
Predominantly i'm going for a warrior that's good at sneaking, not so much the stereotypical pickpocket skill monkey (it's been done)
Modified stats are:
Str: 10
Dex: 24
Con: 16
Int: 10
Wis: 16
Cha: 7
Any help to make him as orsm as possible would be very cool