I am coming up with a build.. The idea is to have an Aasimar Oracle of Nature (using the favored class bonus for the Bonded Mount revelation so that by level 12 my effective Druid level is 18 for the mount)
He is going to have the Scion of Humaniy racial trait so that he can qualify for the Racial Heritage feat (Orc). That way he can take the Beast Rider feat, so he can ride an Int 6 Rhino with an effective Druid level of 18 for the Animal Companions powers....
Note: also going to use Improved Eldritch Heritage: Arcane to snag one of the Beast Shape spells off the sorcerer list.
SO:
What feats/skills should I give this mount? I get 8 feats, and with an Int of 6 they can be anything the mount is capable of using.
(And yes, I know this is a very cheesy build)
Nobody has any ideas?
Take a look at the Sacred Servant Aasimar racial feat; it makes your companion a celestial magical beast, DR, BAB, and d10 hit dice in all.
I believe the feat's name is Celestial Servant, and I think it only changes the Animal Companion's creature type, it still follows the normal progression.
Anyway... I always invariably get Iron Will for my Animal Companions. they really need it. Armor Proficiency is always useful (if the AC has the Combat general training, he gets proficiency with light/medium and heavy armor)
Power Attack is awesome as usual. If the AC's Dex is considerably higher than its Str (the case of Cheetahs), Weapon Finesse is a solid choice.
Combat Reflex is also pretty good for ACs, as most of them have 10ft reach and a decent Dex modifier.
It's weak spot are usually will saves, so give them a Cloak of Resistance os similar items. Give him a decent defense so they don't get mauled in tougher-than-usual fights.
You're correct, it's Celestial Servant.
It gives your animal companion, familiar, or mount the celestial template and makes it a magical beast. Literally; "becomes a magical beast". It'll have the same hit dice progression, armor bonus, STR/DEX bonus, etc, but those hit dice will be magical beast hit dice rather than animal hit dice, which are d10s with full BAB, not d8s with 3/4 BAB.
Dunno... The way I see, Animal Companion is like a class, but for animals.
Just like if there was a feat that turned a Human wizard into an Outsider(Native), he'd not suddenly get full BAB and d10 HD, but he'd become immune to a few spells and effects.
20th level Monks do not get full BAB and d10 HD.
A tiefling Sorcerer still has poor BAB and d6 HD. But he's immune to Charm Person and Enlarge Person.
Even so, it's still a great feat, since the AC gets darkvision, DR, energy resistance, SR and Smite Evil 1x/day.
SR can be problematic, but overall, that's a huge boost for the critter.
