For more context, I’m thinking of playing a centaur barbarian which means with the practiced brawn ancestry feat I can get +1 to athletic checks to shove and any succesful shove is a critical success.
Despite the potential for cool Trip just seems better though? it targets a save which most monsters are worse at than fortitude, also steals a movement action and puts the enemy off-guard until their turn. Is there something I’m missing or is trip just a better option every time that doesn’t involve a convenient cliff or river of lava?
Shove is waaay better if your GM likes 3d environments and has a healthy amount of disrespect for OSHA regulations. Consult your local wizard for on-demand hazards to shove things into, if you don’t have any cliffs around on any given encounter.
In a white room, however, trip is more reliable, yes.