[5e] (Mounted?) Revised Ranger

I'll be playing in an upcoming homebrew campaign, and I'd prefer to play a mounted ranger. Any input is appreciated.

I'll be using the revised ranger and have the option of MC-ing if it doesn't leave too big a power gap between other players. Also, spears have the finesse property in exchange for losing the thrown property.

I'm thinking of picking up alert (+9 to initiative with advantage form natural explorer), and other feats depending on my build.

I'll be using a Stout Hafling and we rolled for stats giving:

12

18 (with racial)

18 (with racial)

10

14

9

I figure I can build this two ways, mounted/ melee, or ranged. HM is damage including Hunter's Mark.

For mounted/ melee I figure using a shield and duelling or two weapon fighting style works the best. I figure I'll be using a wolf for mount, as it'll benefit from pack tactics the whole time. The wolf's ASI will be used to boost dex, giving it a higher initiative count.

Duelling gives 17 AC with shield and leather armor, or 18 with scale.

A lance would give 1d12+3 (9.5) (13 HM) and reach, a spear 1d6+6 (9.5) (13 HM) with reach, a rapier 1d8+6 (10.5) (14 HM) which doesn't have reach. Spear has a slightly lower max damage, but a better bonus to attack rolls (+3 vs +6).

Here, a wolf could run up, attack (and knock prone), retreat 5ft away and I could still attack.

For duelling I would have 15 (leather) or 16 armour (scale), and (1d6+4)*2 for 7.5 (11 HM) per average hit, and no reach.

Viable feats could be mounted combatant, shield master, defensive dualist and Dual wielder (+1 ac, 10.5 average per hit).

For ranged I'd pick crossbow master and possibly sharpshooter (SS). That would give a potential 1d6+6 (9.5) (13 HM) (19.5 SS) (23 HM + SS).

I have a few more options for pets here: Ape (ranged support, climb speed, can be ridden), panther (best speed, stealth, climb speed, pounce isn't great for archery), black bear (tanky, good speed, good climb speed), boar (extra damage, good speed), and wolf (fighting with teammates, adv. on attacks. when ridden).