Looking for help with character build

[Jlin]

My group will soon be starting the Council of Thieves AP and the other players in my group are playing excellent 5th party characters. The only problem with that is there is only 4 of us. No healer and no real melee combatant. They are playing a Gunslinger, a Bard(archeologist), and a Sorcerer/Gunslinger.
I'm trying to come up with a character that can do some serious damage but also help fill other gaps in the party while still keeping some awesome RP flavor.
I was thinking Ranger or Paladin and using the animal companion/mount to deliver even more damage by having a flanking buddy.
Please help! Any suggestions are needed. PRPG and 3rd party material is all we're using, no 3.5

[CuttinCurt]

Jlin wrote:

My group will soon be starting the Council of Thieves AP and the other players in my group are playing excellent 5th party characters. The only problem with that is there is only 4 of us. No healer and no real melee combatant. They are playing a Gunslinger, a Bard(archeologist), and a Sorcerer/Gunslinger.

I'm trying to come up with a character that can do some serious damage but also help fill other gaps in the party while still keeping some awesome RP flavor.
I was thinking Ranger or Paladin and using the animal companion/mount to deliver even more damage by having a flanking buddy.
Please help! Any suggestions are needed. PRPG and 3rd party material is all we're using, no 3.5

Hey Jlin,

If you can convince the bard to have cures handy, then a paladin would be perfect.

Spoiler:

Palys have some very good delimas in this campaign. For RP, a paly in the council of thieves has huge potential. I am playing a hell-bred crusader (which has practically the same paly code of conduct) and it has been a blast.

[Jlin]

If I go paladin, do I have to use my mount as a mount or can I basically use it as a regular animal companion?

[CuttinCurt]

Jlin wrote:

If I go paladin, do I have to use my mount as a mount or can I basically use it as a regular animal companion?

Remember, you dont have to choose a mount. There is a weapon option that gives you some versatility.

[Jlin]

Yes, but do you think using the mount as an additional meat shield and gaining flanking bonus in combat would be beneficial?

[Jlin]

Also, Where can I find this hell-bred crusader at?

[calagnar]

Mounts do not work well in city settings. The chances you can use it at any time are very very low. I know for a fact that all the encounters take place in side buildings. With the exception of 4 in the first 5 books.

[CuttinCurt]

Jlin wrote:

Also, Where can I find this hell-bred crusader at?

The hell-bred race in in a wotc 3.5 book called "The Fiendish Codex - Lords of the Nine Hells"

And the Crusader class is in the "Book of the Nine Swords" also from wotc.

Hope this helps.

CC