I'm still stuck on why bother having cool mounts if they can't do anything? If it is literally just a pack horse, why bother putting it in? Why bother making it cost a spell slot, or take up a spell choice?
I have no problem with "controlling the mount" being the exception because this is a special case. Normally, with a normal animal, you have to choose between controlling it so it does what you want, or letting it do what it wants but have more access to actions. But this is a Paladin, and basically a class feature. It's supposed to show that the Paladin has a strong bond with his mount, so he can get it to do things he wants AND let it attack. Because the steed is not an animal, but a celestial, fiend or fey. And it has a strong bond with its summoner. This is meant to be an upgrade, doing something others can't do. Otherwise, what is the point?
I have no problem with "controlling the mount" being the exception because this is a special case. Normally, with a normal animal, you have to choose between controlling it so it does what you want, or letting it do what it wants but have more access to actions. But this is a Paladin, and basically a class feature. It's supposed to show that the Paladin has a strong bond with his mount, so he can get it to do things he wants AND let it attack. Because the steed is not an animal, but a celestial, fiend or fey. And it has a strong bond with its summoner. This is meant to be an upgrade, doing something others can't do. Otherwise, what is the point?