Which mounted build would work better? 3.5

[gallagher]

Ranger5/Paladin of Freedom5/Halfing Outrider10 or Ranger5/Paladin5/Cavalier10?

i am looking into ways of making a devoted tracker into a mounted machine! i am also still toying with the feats and equipment and the alternate class features i should consider, so any advice in those categories is much appreciated. i do know that i want to try to fit in a way to get a dragon as my mount/animal companion

[gallagher]

also, a few more questions

i do not have MM2, what does the warbeast template do, and how do i apply it to my companion/mount?

since it is my companion, do i no longer have to summon it as a paladin? or does it work the other way around?

what is the easiest way to get a dragon as a reliable and maximized mount without getting a dragonnel?

[Shyftir]

I'd suggest the most paladiny route possible then take the drakken steed alternate class feature from Dragon Magic, which will cost you a feat to become dragon blooded, but that feat has lots of other benefits so no great loss.

This assumes your DM lets the cavalier's levels stack for drakken steed just as they do for special mount.

Of course a drakken steed isn't exactly an actual dragon but its pretty pimp.

Edit: You don't need the feet. Drakken steed just replaces special mount.

[gorfnab]

You would probably do better with the standard Supermount! build.

LG Strongheart Halfling
1. Paladin - Mounted Combat, Track
2. Paladin
3. Paladin - Skill Focus: Handle Animal (prereq for Beast Master)
4. Paladin
5. Paladin
6. Beastmaster - Devoted Tracker
7. Beastmaster
8. Wild Plains Outrider
9. Wild Plains Outrider - Mounted Archery
10. Wild Plains Outrider
11. Halfling Outrider
12. Halfling Outrider - Natural Bond
13. Halfling Outrider
14. Halfling Outrider
15. Halfling Outrider - Ride By Attack (or some other feat)
16. Halfling Outrider
17. Halfling Outrider
18. Halfling Outrider - Spirited Charge (or some other feat)
19. Halfling Outrider
20. Halfling Outrider

Special Mount: 18th level Paladin = Paladin 5 + Wild Plains 3 + Half-Out 10
Animal Companion: 18th level Druid = Beast Master 5 + Natural Bond 3 + Half-Out 10

Another Dragon Mount option can be found on page 136 of the Draconomicon. You would be able to use it starting at level 11 with this build (equivalent paladin level 9 for mount abilities).

[gallagher]

You would probably do better with the standard Supermount! build.

LG Strongheart Halfling
1. Paladin - Mounted Combat, Track
2. Paladin
3. Paladin - Skill Focus: Handle Animal (prereq for Beast Master)
4. Paladin
5. Paladin
6. Beastmaster - Devoted Tracker
7. Beastmaster
8. Wild Plains Outrider
9. Wild Plains Outrider - Mounted Archery
10. Wild Plains Outrider
11. Halfling Outrider
12. Halfling Outrider - Natural Bond
13. Halfling Outrider
14. Halfling Outrider
15. Halfling Outrider - Ride By Attack (or some other feat)
16. Halfling Outrider
17. Halfling Outrider
18. Halfling Outrider - Spirited Charge (or some other feat)
19. Halfling Outrider
20. Halfling Outrider

Special Mount: 18th level Paladin = Paladin 5 + Wild Plains 3 + Half-Out 10
Animal Companion: 18th level Druid = Beast Master 5 + Natural Bond 3 + Half-Out 10

Another Dragon Mount option can be found on page 136 of the Draconomicon. You would be able to use it starting at level 11 with this build (equivalent paladin level 9 for mount abilities).

ive seen that, i was just curious as to a different build, partially because i am considering NOT being a halfling but instead a silverbrow human, and heavily considering cavalier