Changing the Pokemount for Dwarves

[LightPhoenix]

Also, replacing the pokermount with a feat (any feat) seems unfair, in the sense that the mount scales with levels. By the way I've never played a a paladin in 3E or 3.5E, and I have no idea just how signifivcant the mount can be, so correct me if you think the previous statement isn't true

The problem with the paladin's mount is that it's power is very dependant on the DM. If you're constantly in dungeons, then the mount is essentially a wasted ability. On the other hand if you're constantly travelling over land and will be in combat a lot, the mount is a very potent ability, especially combined with some riding feats. So assigning it a concrete value really doesn't work all that well.

You're right in that one feat is pretty unfair given the scaling nature of the mount. However I'm not sure that it's really worth more than that. I really like the idea of a Smite Chaos ability that you might get two or three uses of as you go up in levels, to compensate for the scaling mount.

 

[GreyShadow]

Summon a forge with the fires of Moradin so you can repair stuff?

 

[SteelDraco]

You might just ask if you can switch it out for a bonus Exalted or Divine feat. That's what I just did with my paladin/rogue in a city-based campaign, where a mount would be completely useless.

 

[FireLance]

If 1 spell per level seems too powerful, how about giving the paladin access to a single domain (Dwarf may be good). That way, he only gets a specific extra spell per level, and it scales somewhat, in that sense that he gets an extra spell only when he gains the ability to cast spells of that level.

 

[Neo]

In Place of a Paladins Mount I'd probably go for a Legendary Weapon type Item Familiar feat from Unearthed Arcana.

 

[Gez]

I'll echo MacMathan; a rangerlike animal companion may be a good idea. In Creature Collection Revised, there's the Dwarven Mastiff, a hound bred by dwarves.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

Intelligent Companion

I have a Dwarven Paladin in a different game that is having the same problem. He has no Dex, no ranks in Ride & no desire for a special mount, yet I get one if I want one, even if I'm more likely to fall off it than actually ride it.

What I'm doing is Granting my Dwarven Waraxe Intelligence and using it as a special "Companion". It has a Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 6, the same as what a Paladin's Warhorse would be. This puts it at a level similar to the lowest of intelligent items in the DMG. Thus it gets Empathy, One Lesser Power, Vision 30' and Hearing. Overall a very minor thing and less powerful than a Paladin's Mount (but perhaps more useful as it is always nearby).

Also, my Paladin is going for the Annoited Knight PrC from BoED, and my Waraxe is my Ancestral Relic. So it makes much more sense for my weapon to achieve conciousness than for my to summon a warhorse for a couple hours each day. Generally, I think it's still a good option for any Paladin, particullary those not adept at Ride or for whom mounted combat does not fit with the character.

Later,
Vraille Darkfang

 

[iwatt]

All the ideas seem pretty good. The one I like the most is the Summon Earth Elemental (ala stone lord) in the sense that it doesn't change that much (mechanich-wise) from the rest. How would you guys handle the increase in the Elemental abilities (modify the base elemental) or have the elemental change sizes. at which levels?

thanx

 

[jstater]

There's a revised paladin class on the Wizards of the Coast message boards that does away with the paladin's mount (and a few other things) in return for some different powers. I can't recall exactly how it worked, but go check it out.

 

[FireLance]

All the ideas seem pretty good. The one I like the most is the Summon Earth Elemental (ala stone lord) in the sense that it doesn't change that much (mechanich-wise) from the rest. How would you guys handle the increase in the Elemental abilities (modify the base elemental) or have the elemental change sizes. at which levels?

thanx

The Stonelord's elemental goes from Small to Huge in four steps. There are also four stages of improvement to the Paladin's summoned mount. It would probably not be too unbalancing for your paladin's summoned elemental to go up one size each time your summoned mount would have improved. In other words:

Paladin level 5th-7th: Small earth elemental
Paladin level 8th-10th: Medium earth elemental
Paladin level 11th-14th: Large earth elemental
Paladin level 15th-20th: Huge earth elemental