I have heard a lot of good things about splashing Paladin into Cleric and just had some basic questions regarding the timing and starting stats working from a Drow starting point. I am looking for a solid healer with some reasonable solo ability for the early career. Two levels of Paladin are attractive for the auras and saves. But when is it best to slide those levels in?

Cleric 1 --> Cle 1 / Pal 1 ---> Cle 1 / Pal 2 ---> all cleric thereafter?

Cleric 1 --Cleric 3 ---> Cleric 3 / Pal 2 ---> all cleric thereafter?

Cleric 1 --> Cleric 1/Pal 1 --- x Cleric until Pal 2 then cleric thereafter?

Paladin 1--> Paladin 2 --- all cleric thereafter


And what are the benefits/hindrances between choosing these two stat pools:

Pool 1 - Str 14, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 12
or
Pool 2 - Str 12 Dex 10 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 18 Cha 12


May basic question in the second part is it worth mortgaging your future (lower Wis to start) against better Con and Str?


I am looking to create a character with strong solo capability but is also a more than serviceable healer when in groups. I realize that if I want to get started on metamagic feats I would need to start with Cleric, and I would have better access to combat feats starting *** Paladin.

Any help would be appreciated - these are classes I know very little of first hand.