I'm still relatively new to the world of AD, but to answeere your questions to the best of my knowledge:
1) Yes, AD can be used with the step sequencer. It acts a little wonky if you use a drum map with step sequencer, but I never use drum maps when using step sequencer.
2)I know of no way to set up custome drum patterns in the program itself. They offer low cost midi packs to ad more patterns. You can use any midi drum pattern to trigger AD. SOme third parties sell patterns already mapped to AD or you can create a drum map. A couple of users have already made drum maps for AD to make playing standard midi drum patterns easier. I think one user was subjacent.