Under the Mount equipment (commonso available to all classes) is stated that it's possible to upgrade the mount with a single accessible trait and add the extra point cost to the base of 15 points for the common mount. If doing so, however, this requires taking either a faction or class trait that only applies to the mount.
Now, 2 questions:
First, and most easily, assuming my faction builds around earth to gain the sphere bonus of +1 toughness, if taking a faction or class trait -outside- of this sphere (like, say fire), does this negate the +1 toughness for the models, or will they retain it because this new trait applies solely to the mount?
Second, since a normal mount pretty much only provides a movement boost and I want to spice it up a little. Can I take the primal sphere trait 'Twilight Beast' as a class trait to give the mount Monster2, and thus provide it with 2 cool monster traits? Like for example, to giveit claws to attack with. Furthermore, I assume this is only possible after faction creation due to the extra progression cost attached to it?
Thanks in advance!
First Question: Yes it will remove it, but only for the mount. A model cannot have another sphere
Second Question. Yes. That is a way to make a mount and its been a cool way for people to create mounts of various types. They get expensive.
Suggestion: Use one of your classes to create a Monstrous Mount. Taking Monster X replaces your faction traits with X new ones for the class. It also gives you a new starting stat line of characteristics, and you can take Mount (in the monsters section).
What this does is create a class that you can develop later as you play that is a mount and even create a hero type mount later on possibly for another hero. We've seen some crazy mounts in playtesting, like massive giants (Undead and Biestial), dragons, underground monster worms/centipedes, etc)
There is another post in the 1st Age Factions called "Creating a Mobile Platform on an Undead Giant" one of the playtesters made after I asked him to create something for a specific model from Mierce Miniatures. Crazy build.