Juggling ability scores for a Charisma based mounted paladin
The campaign will likely end at lvl 13 and I plan to go full Devotion paladin so far.
I probably want too many things at once - I want to play a lance wielding mounted knight for the fantasy of it. And I also want to support my party and deal decent-ish spell damage.
As a Human I took Zhentarim Ruffian and Spellfire Spark as an extra feat. Our party will be generating a lot of Heroic Inspirations.
Point Buy: 15 12 14 8 8 17
I plan on maxing Charisma and my Strength won't go above 16 as a Devotion Paladin
Feats take Mounted Combatant (+1 Str), Spellfire Adept (+1 Cha) and +2 Cha
The issue is, what to take first? If I take Mounted Combatant first, I lose out on extra burst of damage from Spellfire Adept and aura/spellcasting benefits. But if I delay Mounted Combatant, my whole gimmick of a mounted knight is delayed by 4 levels way into the campaign.
And should I start with 16 Str after all? I generally don't like dumping Dex even on a paladin for slightly better initiative, but is it worth it?
Should I just give up one aspect of my build and focus on others?
Also, this is for Avernus but with 2024 rules, I deliberately didn't look it up aside from knowing that devils are generally resistant to elemental damage