I had a idea, instead of banning the use of Summon Mount, why not change it a bit so instead it summons a small, celestial ally (based on their deity), not exactly combat capable, just as a friend, or company, possibly even to give small benefits like 'cure minor wounds' occasionally. (though combat capable at much higher levels (typicaly pure Paladin 10) would be a decent idea)

Personally, I feel it'd add a small bit to a Paladin's RP, and it'd make it easy to prevent abuse of Summon Mount when the DM's are away, without removing Summon Mount (and thus denying Paladin Level Up past 4).

If this is too much, all right. No problem, just putting the idea in the air.

Swap it with a Shining Light familiar, and bingo! Just what you meant.

Paladins don't get familiars.

But they get mounts. And we should get something!

uguu~

I think that some sort of non-combat summons for extra flavour would be an ok use of the summon mount ability.

Summon Mount is a magical ability to summon an ally, this is the same, yet you can't ride this one, but you could RP it, being a 'guiding light' or some such?

Paladins don't get familiars.

They are prohibited from using one of their class abilities, perhaps the most interesting one.

It is true that they do not get familiars, but I thought that EfU is not fully canon? It that is the case, would there be any harm in giving the paladin a replacement from a class ability they are prohibited from using? A change to an ability that would not make the paladin class more powerful mechanically, while opening RP opportunities, Other classes received changes which they do not originally have, often benefiting them mechanically.

Where are people getting this idea that "Paladins get mounts" and "Paladins get familiars" as if it has been heavily rooted in the PnP canon ruleset for 15 years? To say that paladins not being able to call upon a trusty steed from out of thin air strips them of their essence and most defining skill is ridiculous to me. Seriously, why is there this sudden rally to give Paladins something they have in no-way ever even had prior to the patch as though we've taken away sometime essential to the class?

People should be focusing their efforts on something cool like barbarian totems or a better ranger PC tracking system instead! :)

Totems sound real cool!

It is because the paladin class was given something new, and people usually enjoy trying out new things on their favorite server.