Paladin Find Steed . Alternative options

[furby076]

So, horses are squishy. What are typical alternatives for a normal campaign? My dm and his friends are old school (they are lik 20 years older than me and grew up on 1e). I will be able to cast find steed, but using a regular horse will get ugly, fast.

[Potato_Priest]

Mounted combatant feat is one of the best ways to go. Allows you to redirect attacks from horse to you, and gives the horse the benefits of the rogue's evasion feature.

[JellyPooga]

Riding Dog (Mastiff), Wolf and Panther are pretty common for Small riders. Elk and Camel are appropriate for Medium riders. None of these will solve the "squishy" problem.

You may want to ask your GM if you can cast Find Steed from a higher slot for a more powerful steed. A Dire Wolf, Lion, Tiger or Bear, for a 3rd or 4th level slot, perhaps. This would be strictly in the realm of house rules, however.

As Potato_Priest says, Mounted Combat is your best bet.

[Talionis]

Find a way to add Armor of Agathys to your spell list. It's a first level Warlock spell. It's good to upcast for both of you. It adds temporary hitpoints.

Consider the Leadership feat that grants temporary hit points.