So I've been toying with this idea for a while. From Lvl 1.
I originally envisioned this little bugger as a mounted archer-type.
I thought about cavalier w/Vermin Tamer Archetype. BUT... unless I am mistaken, an Archer-Cavalier is not a viable build even if I don't care much about optimization.
Does the Beastmaster Ranger Archetype allow for the Animal Companion to be his/her mount?
Fully realizing I'll have to take Undersized Mount as a Feat.
Are there other class/archetype options I am overlooking (no 3PP)
Well there's the Curious Companion feat to make any companion class work, which I'd take instead of the Beastmaster Ranger archetype if I went for Ranger. Hunter also has an archetype for vermin companions AFAIK.
If you can wait until level 3 there's also the option to use a Scarlet Spider Familiar with the Mauler archetype. Then you'd be able to choose a bit more freely between classes.
Thank you for the input -- The UM sourcebook (pg36) allows for vermin companions without taking any feats, so no feat tax in that regard.
Verminous Hunter is the Hunter Archetype you are referring to. But I think I like the Ranger options and mechanics better. PLUS - the Beastmaster archetype allows for attracting more giant spiders as levels go up, so there is the pack potential (I would NOT want play as a Packmaster and monopolize combat time, but the option of having one or two more is intriguing.)
I have not played enough with players who choose Druids or Rangers w/companions, so am still in the dark if the companion can be considered their mount as well.
Thank you for the input -- The UM sourcebook (pg36) allows for vermin companions without taking any feats, so no feat tax in that regard.
Huh. I was sure there was, but I guess it's only those with restricted companion lists (Cavalier, Ranger, some martial archetype) that would need that feat.
I have not played enough with players who choose Druids or Rangers w/companions, so am still in the dark if the companion can be considered their mount as well.
Yeah, you can definitely ride your companion. Pretty much anything can be your mount, you do not need the specific class feature called "mount" to treat it as one.
Verminous Hunter is the Hunter Archetype you are referring to. But I think I like the Ranger options and mechanics better. PLUS - the Beastmaster archetype allows for attracting more giant spiders as levels go up, so there is the pack potential (I would NOT want play as a Packmaster and monopolize combat time, but the option of having one or two more is intriguing.)
The only fault of the Beastmaster archetype is that it replaces your 6th level Combat Style bonus feat. As an archer there's a couple of feats you'd like to grab early with that specific bonus feat.
'This mount functions as a druid’s animal companion,' - I think it'd work.
A mounted build does want a lot of feats of course and if you're getting curious companion and horse master too then you may not have all the feats you want when you want them. It might still be worth it to be a halfling riding a giant solifugid.
Cavalier Emissary or Gerdamaine with Sohei Monk gives me mounted feats so I can spend regular feats on Curious Companion and Horse Master at 7th. Thinking Drow riding a spider or a Deurgar eiding any type of vermin. Deuragar also have a trait allowing them to treat vermin as if they have an Int of 1. While this does prevent it from aqquiring crtain feats and abilities it retains it's mindless saves and fits with their race.
I'm sure a lot of people would disagree how I'm going about it but I would do it this way for multiclass versatility
The vermin driver trait only lets you treat it as having an int of 1 for purposes of the animal handling skill. Basically it just lets it know 3 tricks. Otherwise it still can't gain feats or skills as per the mindless trait.
As for the class options, they seem fine if you're planning on going primarily melee. If you're trying to do ranged like the OP I would recommend looking at the luring cavalier archetype.