Replacing the Paladin's special mount class feature...

[Vurt]

One of my players has no interest in ever using his paladin's special mount class feature, and I'm considering swapping it out for something more appropriate, but I am at a loss for actual ideas. Has anyone else found something interesting and thematic to replace it with, that isn't just a bonus feat?

Thanks,
Vurt

 

[kirinke]

How about Restoration or some similar powerful curative spell 3x per day?
Or maybe one of the 'remove' spells like remove paralysis, remove curse etc 3x per day?
Give him some celestial resistences, like acid 5, cold 5 etc. Any would work.

 

[Cheiromancer]

3 times/day might be a little strong. How about this:

Paladin's Boon: 1/day as a standard action the paladin may confer a boon by touch. This has one of three effects chosen by the paladin; lesser restoration, remove paralysis or remove blindness/deafness. This counts as a third level spell.

 

[kirinke]

That'd work too.
I was just throwing out something that would match the power of a summon special mount ability. After all, you can do that pretty much at will, which is pretty powerful.

 

[Bront]

You could grant him a cohort without him taking the leadership feat. Basicly a squire.

Increasing his curitive powers (Like Krinke suggested, or perhaps an increase in the Lay Hands ability or some such thing) is an option.

Perhaps increased spellcasting ability of some kind. (Extra spell per level, increased effective caster level, higher level spell access)

Energy resistances aren't bad, or some level of DR/unholy or magic or something.

Weapon Specialization for free is an option (Can't take it normaly still, but gets it for free once).

It realy depends on the character concept as to what fits. Have him suggest something and run with it. Just make sure you feel it's balanced.

 

[Cheiromancer]

That'd work too.
I was just throwing out something that would match the power of a summon special mount ability. After all, you can do that pretty much at will, which is pretty powerful.

If "by will" you mean once per day, yes.

 

[kirinke]

lol. misred that part.

 

[Vurt]

A lot of good ideas in here, I really appreciate it!

One thing I do want to keep in mind is that the mount somewhat scales with level. Statting out a celestial warhorse for a 6th level paladin, my first reaction was to double-take, as it's a formidable combatant for 12 hours a day. And while I don't want to go over the top, I would like to replace the mount with something reasonably equivalent.


Consider:

[SBLOCK]Warhorse, celestial heavy: magical beast (extraplanar); Size L; HD 6d8+24; hp 51; Init +1; Spd 50 ft.; AC 18 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +8 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 13; BAB/Grp +4/+12; Attack: Hoof +7 melee (1d6+4/x2); Full Attack: 2 hooves +7 melee (1d6+4/x2) and bite +2 melee (1d4+2/x2); SA Smite evil 1/day; SQ DR 5/magic, Darkvision 60 ft., empathic link, energy resistances (acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5), improved evasion, low-light vision, scent, share spells, share saving throws, SR 11; AL NG; SV Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +3; Str 19 (+4), Dex 13 (+1), Con 17 (+3), Int 6 (-2), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 6 (-2).

Skills: Listen +6, Spot +5. Feat: Endurance, Improved toughness, Run.

Smite Evil (Su): Once per day a celestial creature can make a normal melee attack to deal extra damage equal to its HD (maximum of +20) against an evil foe.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a heavy warhorse is up to 300 pounds; a medium load, 301–600 pounds; and a heavy load, 601–900 pounds. A heavy warhorse can drag 4,500 pounds.[/SBLOCK]


That said, I do like a lot of the suggestions already mentioned, in particular the Paladin's Boon and the option to take Weapon Specialization for one time only.

Cheers,
Vurt

 

[Quickleaf]

So you're looking for something that scales with the PC like the special mount.

What is the paladin character's concept? Avenger? Preacher? Saint? Rebel?

 

[Vurt]

So you're looking for something that scales with the PC like the special mount.

What is the paladin character's concept? Avenger? Preacher? Saint? Rebel?

Hmmm... The closest archetype I can think of would be The Tick. Only he's not blue. Avenger, maybe? Sword & board with a bastard sword. Feats largely went into his smiting ability, if that says anything.

Cheers,
Vurt