At 7th level, have the Drake Grapple you, and you'll have achieved Flight. 20-ft. If you Longstrider it, 25-ft. If you're level 15, you can Grapple small sizes allies and take to the skies without reduction in speed. I really like Chef Feat so the Drake can use their empty Bonus Action to eat it, brushing off damage turn after turn before eventually, perishing. The cost is extremely cheap to re-summon, but it's worth every THP for nearly, free.

Timestamped Feats: 4:48- Great Weapon Master/ Sharpshooter 6:57 - Piercer 8:15 - Mounted Combatant 15:16 - War Caster 18:03 - Fey Touched 18:58 - Sentinel 20:57 - Resilient: CON/WIS 21:56 - Alert

Oh, hell yeah. This was the first Ranger I played. Only got to 7th level, but it was fun. Might have to make another. Although, I would still take Crossbow Expert. It's the only way to attack more than once per round with any crossbow unless you happen to have an Artificer in the party who's willing to share.

Some points I figure Piercer is a 1.5 increase in damage but really it is the +1 Dex point and the crit effect you are buying. Mounted Combat never makes sense before 12 for this class since the recast is not a major problem and Mounted combat is really needed when you are flying and don’t want the mount to disappear from under you. I actually WANT them to focus fire on the Drake since getting him back is so easy and with his highish AC and points it is a good use of the Drake tactically. And when it comes back I get the attack from it immediately and placed where I like (likely right beside the enemy that hates it) the reaction again immediately. Mounted combat rules still state that controlled creatures can’t attack because it is not an available action they can take. While you can use the Drake to kite the enemy attacks they give up that normal attack damage (Drake still can do reactions and can still buff you). Fey Torched has limited benefits for a Drake warden as the Misty step uses a bonus action and that is the same as the Drake’s control action. Still may be useful, but still. Similar, you may want a Gift of Alacrity instead of a one free use of Silvery Barbs. One re-roll or possibly going first in multiple battles in a day. You may also consider if you have the free space in ASI somewhere as they are not major but minor helpful feats: Magic initiate for Wizard - to get Familiar (to give you or Drake help actions early tier) and if your dm is mean and hates the common magic item Feather Token - get feather fall … or a new DM because that is just saying he don’t like you. Elven Accuracy still useful when it applies as Drakes can be commanded to help you next turn and also flanking if that optional rule is on play (really useful when magic is needed to attack and damage) Inspiring Leader. Some plan on going Sorcerer in a multiclass or roll this but short rest temp hit points always welcome for your team’s flying tank. Healer (low level) Cheap way to heal everyone and your Drake for very little cost. Drake has HD =your lvl and you can use this to heal every rest and with spending its points and this feat you can keep it up if it is not dispelled.

There are weird interactions with mounts and subclass companions. If you use a controlled mount, the ONLY actions they can take are dash/ disengage/ or dodge on your turn. Uncontrolled mounts get their full list of actions, but on their turn. By these rules a Controlled drake Mount goes on your turn but it can't attack. Or it goes after your turn as an Uncontrolled mount using your bonus action to attack.

Believe it or not, you mentioned a particular build I’m currently doing, I’m a custom lineage Drakewarden at Level 5 with a maul, sentinel and crusher (taking GWM at level 8) my campaign does flanking so going into melee, getting advantage, locking down players and force movement through spiked growth is great!

The drake is a great damage sponge and it’s at most only an action and a first level spell slot to bring it back. DO NOT take mounted combatant so you can soak up its damage. Let the drake take the hits.

How about the Charger feat???