Why play a mounted summoner

[rpewin01]

For my character concept, I like the idea of a mounted summoner. But, the optimizer in me is having trouble making it better, or at least equivalent, than hiding in the back of combat.

I will be starting at Level 6. For concept I like the idea of a halfling, but a Half-Elf Wild Caller seems too good to pass up (+3 evolutions at 6th level).

What can I do mounted, or are any of these better mounted than not? I will have three feats, one of which I plan to use on Craft Wonderous Items.

Possibilities:
1. Use Wands and Dazzling Display. I could buy a wand of Scorching Ray, along with several support spells. In particular, I am thinking of Saving Finale from the Bard list, and some of the good support spells from Paladin, Inquisitor, or Cleric. If it wasn't worth using a wand, I could use my high Intimidate to Demoralize everyone w/in 30 feet. Of course, other than needing to be in range for Dazzling Display, I can do most of that from the back of the party.

2. Archery. I am having trouble seeing how I have the feats or ability scores to make this worthwile. Am I missing something.

3. Lance. I love the idea of using a lance on the back of a mounted dragon. But, I want to build my eidolon to have one massive attack, w/ vital strike, etc., and I am not seeing how it is possible for him to use Vital Strike at the same time I can benefit from charging with a Lance.

What do you do with your summoner. Starting stats are 11, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15. I have 16k gold and can craft any wonderous item to start at 65% of cost.

[Akalsaris]

rpewin01 wrote:

What do you do with your summoner... Starting stats are 11, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15. I have 16k gold and can craft any wonderous item to start at 65% of cost.

I like master summoner for my own style of play, but that's rather different than the standard.

For a mounted build, some DMs allow you to make an attack with your mount as part of its charge rather than it simply moving to the opponent and standing there when you attack. If that's the case, then feats are a no-brainer: Mounted Combat, Craft Wondrous Item, Ride-By attack. Then Spirited Charge at 7 and Mounted Blade or Trick Riding at 9. If not, then I wouldn't really make a charge-focused build.

Stats for a charging build: Str 15, Con 14, Cha 13, Dex 12, Wis 11, Int 10. With a halfling that becomes: Str 13, Con 14, Cha 15, Dex 14, Wis 11, Int 10.

I don't have any special suggestions for items except to grab the basics and then splurge on wondrous items.