Mounts gained at later levels - is the effective druid level reduced?

[Distant Scholar]

Some archetypes/alternate classes get to choose a different type of mount (or animal companion) at later levels than at earlier. Is the effective druid level reduced for such critters?

For example: A gnome samurai can choose a boar mount at 4th level (but not at 1st level). Would the samurai's effective druid level for that mount be 1, or 4?

As official an answer as possible would be appreciated, since it's for a character generator computer program. (I have mine own opinion, but that's just an opinion.)

[Ascalaphus]

I think there's a different logic behind that;

Generally, a mount needs to be at least one size bigger than you. A dog/boar gained as level 1 AC is small. At 4th level, it becomes medium. Coincidentally, that's the level they can serve as mounts to small adventurers...

[LazarX]

Aren't samurai limited to horses anyway?

[Drejk]

It would screw halfling/gnome samurai.

[Defraeter]

Ascalaphus wrote:

I think there's a different logic behind that;

Generally, a mount needs to be at least one size bigger than you. A dog/boar gained as level 1 AC is small. At 4th level, it becomes medium. Coincidentally, that's the level they can serve as mounts to small adventurers...

Yes, it's done for that.

Mount (Ex): A samurai gains the service of a loyal and trusty steed to carry him into battle. This mount functions as a druid's animal companion, using the samurai's level as his effective druid level. The creature must be one that he is capable of riding and that is suitable as a mount. A Medium samurai can select a camel or a horse. A Small samurai can select a pony or a wolf, but can also select a boar or a dog if he is at least 4th level. The GM may approve other animals as suitable mounts.

The samourai has a very little "offer" of suitable mount, but their level increase as a animal companion (i.e follow the same table) of a druid of same level.
The little samourai has to wait until 4 because, as Ascalaphus said very well,

Ascalaphus:
"At 4th level, it becomes medium. Coincidentally, that's the level they can serve as mounts to small adventurers..."