Epic Griffon rider (3.5e Optimized Character Build)

Introduction

I started this build trying to make a character based off The Last Guardian. A mid level Point of Realization.

References

  Player's Handbook 3.5
  Champions of Valor
  Complete Warrior
  Unapproachable East
  Complete Adventurer
  Book of Exalted Deeds
  Monster Manual 1
  Drow of the Underdark

Progression

Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments):

Constitution should be your highest, between you and your mount you will be the tanks. Also helps you survive your Shield Other spell longer.
Charisma is next, for Shield Other and your saves.
Strength should also be high so you can deal damage until you get your Griffon.
Intelligence needs to at least be a 14, this build has a lot of Skill prerequisites.
Wisdom and Dexterity in that order with your remaining stat rolls.

Race: Strongheart Halfling

Starting Racial Traits:

+2 Dexterity, -2 Strength
Bonus Feat
+2 Racial bonus on Climb, Jump, Move Silently, and Spot Checks
+2 Morale bonus on saving throws against Fear
+1 Racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings

Flaws: Vulnerable, Inattentive We need more feats and don't have any armor class or ranks in these skills anyway.

ECL	Class/HD/LA	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Feats	Class Features	Special
			Fort	Ref	Will
1st	Paladin	+1	+2	+0	+0	Skill Focus (Handle Animal) Mounted Combat, Mounted Archery, Ride By Attack	Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil 1/day
2nd	Paladin	+2	+3	+0	+0		Divine Grace, Lay on Hands
3rd	Paladin (Noble Heart)	+3	+3	+1	+1	Spirited Charge	Aura of Courage, Tenacious Tracker	Track(Bonus Feat)
4th	Paladin (Golden Cup)	+4	+4	+1	+1		Shield Other
5th	Paladin	+5	+4	+1	+1		Smite Evil 2/Day, Special Mount	War pony +2HD
6th	Beast Master	+6	+6	+3	+1	Devoted Tracker	Animal Companion, Wild Empathy	War Pony +4HD
7th	Halfling Outrider	+7	+6	+5	+1		Mount, Alertness(Bonus Feat), Ride Bonus	War Pony +4
8th	Halfling Outrider	+8	+6	+6	+1		Defensive Riding	War Pony +6HD
9th	Aglarondan Griffonrider	+9	+6	+8	+1	Celestial Mount	Bonded Mount, Fly-By Attack(Bonus Feat)	Griffon +8HD
10th	Halfling Outrider	+10	+7	+8	+2		Unbroken Charge	Griffon +8HD
11th	Halfling Outrider	+11	+7	+9	+2		Stand on Mount	Griffon +8HD
12th	Halfling Outrider	+12	+7	+9	+2	Natural Bond	Leap from the Saddle	Griffon +14HD

Other Components

The Griffon at level 9:
Dungeonbred Template: Starts Medium size, base ability scores are 14, 17, 16, 5, 13, 8.
Bonus Feats: Improved Natural Attack Bite, Improved Natural Attack Claw, Endurance.
Feats:
Level 1: Improved Unarmed Strike, Level 3: Constant Guard, Level 6: Hover.
"This is where it becomes our Mount" It becomes celestial and therefore good. Level 9 feat: Sacred 
Vow, Level 12 feat: Vow of Poverty, Level 15 feat: Rapidstrike.
Put the stat increases from VoP into Str, Int, and Con in that order. increase Dex and Int with the 
level 4/8 stat increases. Now our Mount is as intelligent as the average party member.

It's statblock becomes this when we're level 9.
Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 15d10+90 (171 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 40 ft, fly 80 ft(Good)
Armor Class: 41 (-1 size, +9 Exalted, +4 Dex, +17 Natural, +2 Deflection) touch 15, flat-footed 37
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+30
Attack: Bite +29 melee (3d6+11)
Full Attack: Unarmed +29/+24/+19 melee (1d4+14), Bite +24 melee (3d6+8), and 3 claws +24/+24/+19 
melee (1d6+8)
Space/Reach: 10ft/5ft
Special Attacks: Pounce, Rake 1d8+8, Smite Evil 1/day +15 damage
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft, Low-Light Vision, Scent, Damage Reduction 10/Magic, DR 5/Evil, 
 Resistance 10 Acid/Cold/Electricity, Energy Resistance 5, Greater Sustenance, Mind Shielding, 
 Improved Evasion, Share Spells, Share Saving Throws, Link, Empathic Link, Improved Speed, Devotion, 
 Spell Resistance 20.
Saves: Fort +17, Ref +15, Will +8
Abilities: Str 32, Dex 18, Con 22, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 8
Skills: Jump 16, Listen 14, Spot 18 (These can be changed to your liking)
Feats: Improved Natural attack Bite, Improved Natural Attack Claw, Endurance, Improved Unarmed 
 Strike, Constant Guardian, Hover, Sacred Vow, Vow of Poverty, Favored of the Companions, Gift of 
 Faith, Rapidstrike

Highlights

Getting Track from Paladin and getting Druid levels from Beastmaster really let this build skyrocket. While everything is geared toward making your Special Companion beefed up, you don't lose too much from being a mounted paladin, Full BAB is complimented by your small size giving you another bonus. Your mount can't where armor but at level 9 you have a +14 before Dex modifiers.

Munchkin-Size Me

You can take Griffonrider at level 8 instead, and not take Celestial mount/vow of poverty. You'll want to take Natural Bond at level 9, this is a less powerful and more casual friendly version that doesn't outshine your fighter and barbarian in the party.

Side Notes

In the event your DM is a fan of cramp spaces, you can drop Celestial and Poverty, and instead have a huge griffon wearing the Shrink Collar from the Arms and Equipment Guide. An flying focused campaign might see improved archery instead of ride-by attack.

Limitations

Large open areas is where this build really shines, flying in from all angles with the good maneuverability and hover ability or simply using all 7 of the mount's attacks to eliminate whatever is giving your party a tough time.

DM Counters

indoors and tight caves, heavily wooded areas are also good. Ranged units are effective if you can prevent it from flying.

Miscellaneous

Level 12 is where the build accomplishes it's goal, you can continue through Halfling outrider, then go into Beastmaster again and take Leadership and start a squadron of flying beasts.

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