[PF] "Paladin" build advice

[Vent Reynolt]

For an upcoming Pathfinder game that I'm going to be joining, (Lvl 12) my initial character idea was to play an antipaladin of Tiamat because the campaign's premise was to protect the last dragon in existence, however, upon discovering that the Antipaladin is CE only (:smallconfused:), I'm now forced to get a little bit more creative with my build to play a Lawful Evil, Paladin character whose moral philosophy is simply that there is no good and evil save what is defined by those who are the strongest. (Useless backgroud stuff)

Anyway, my new idea is to go Cleric into the Holy Vindicator (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/holy-vindicator) Prc. I'm just looking for advice about what I can do and build towards to give this character as much of a Paladin feel as possible (Ex. I intend on Using Planar Ally to get a Nightmare for a mount). (Okay, I admit that I'm being lazy regarding feat choices, apart from the glaringly obvious Power Attack, and probably the Mounted combat chain.), but I'm also unsure about spell choices and usage.

[grarrrg]

Holy Vindicator is a great start.
The next closest would be either of the Hellknight PrC's (plain (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/hellknight) and Signifier (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/e-h/hellknight-signifer)), but overall I think Vindicator is better for this.

But may I recommend 4 levels of Cavalier (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/cavalier) in there somewhere?
Any Order is fine, whatever is best for you Flavor/Power wise.
Most archetypes are fine, but you MUST keep the Expert Trainer class ability (gained at level 4).
Expert Trainer qualifies you to take the Horse Master (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/horse-master-combat) feat.
The feat lets you use your _character_ level to determine how strong your Mount is.

And Cavalier is fairly close flavor-wise to a(n) (Anti)Paladin anyway, what with the Mount and the "Knight in heavy armor" vibe and all that.

You still need 5 Bab for Holy Vindicator entry, which means at least 2 levels of Cleric. You don't really need any more that that, as Vindicator advances Spell Casting and Channeling already, and your Domain Powers will be horribly weak regardless.
Cavalier 4/Cleric 2/Holy Vindicator 6

As far as Domains, you want something with a decent bonus up front.
Darkness can get you the Blind Fight feat.
Protection gives +1 All Saves, it would fill in for your "Divine Grace", but Abadar (LN) is the only Deity that could grant it to LE (see the link to the Domain/Deity Quick Ref in my sig! Added bonus! I'll link it right NOW absolutely FREE! (13224299))

Inquisitions are also a valid choice (only take 1 tops though, otherwise your Domain Slots go to waste).
Conversion/Heresy lets you use WIS instead of CHA for social skills (Conversion is overall better). Since your Cleric Casting is WIS based, this can be a decent idea.
Oblivion lets all allies (you included) add your WIS mod to Stabilization checks. Fits general "Paladin" flavor, but may not fit your concept.
Persistence gives Step Up as a bonus feat.
Spellkiller gives Disruptive as a bonus feat.

[Vent Reynolt]

Thanks! That's a lot of great advice. I hadn't even considered taking Cavalier like that, what with the whole "Thou shall not lost caster levels" rule of thumb.

Unfortunately, as far as deity goes, I was pretty set in being devoted to Tiamat, (Despite her not even being an official Pathfinder deity.), though that does probably give me plenty of leniency in picking an Inquisition.