I am trying fighter 1, though either can work depending on what traits from each you value. Fighter gives fighting style, weapon masteries (though you probably only need 1), CON save prof for concentration, 2nd wind. You could also use DEX instead of STR for the multiclass reqs, but STR will allow for heavy armor and weapons.
Paladin you get the spells and lay on hands (5 pts) instead of 2nd wind and CON saves. I would probably go paladin if I thought more than 1 level.
I would suggest fighter is the better choice, you get a fighting style, you get second wind, and both classes give weapon mastery (tho three kinds of weapons vs. two favors fighter). Paladin is not a bad choice, it does give access to Divine Favor (but Spirit Shroud is better later on) and 2 1st levelled slots can help with regards to warlocks limited pact slots, but a fighting style is a passive bonus and second wind heals more than lay on hands, albeit being self healing only.
I would also say fighter is better due to DEX, you need 15 Strength to get the best heavy armour, medium armor soft caps at a +2 dex bonus. Paladin requires Strength but Fighter can go Strength or Dexterity. Picking Dexterity here is the better choice out of the two, it's better dex saves and higher initiative. So for ability scores, you could go 10 13+1 14 8 12 15+2 starting attributes and have all the dexterity you'll ever need and then you also get con save proficiency which with either warcaster feat or eldritch mind invocation means you're probably never failing a concentration saving throw for the good old spirit shroud or other concentration spells.
I'd also say if you take it too level 2 later on, Fighter still beats Paladin, Fighter gets action surge which is better than anything Paladin gets at level 2, tactical mind is also okay as a way to pass some ability checks that would else wise fail. for Paladin, they then get a fighting style and get paladin smite... but Paladin smite quickly becomes obsolete.
If you take it too level 3 it might switch to Paladin, just since Oath of Devotion and Oath of Vengeance are now really strong in 2024, perhaps enough to even edge out battlemaster from fighter, most notably these two subclasses from Paladin have channel divinities that activate on attack. Sacred Weapon or Vow of Enmity, on a pact weapon on a high CHA Warlock is probably not going to be missing many attacks at all.
I want to play a gishy warlock, and starting both as fighter or a paladin gives me armor and weapon mastery.
I want to be main warlock and just a small 1lvl dip as a start. What do you recommend?
I am trying fighter 1, though either can work depending on what traits from each you value. Fighter gives fighting style, weapon masteries (though you probably only need 1), CON save prof for concentration, 2nd wind. You could also use DEX instead of STR for the multiclass reqs, but STR will allow for heavy armor and weapons.
Paladin you get the spells and lay on hands (5 pts) instead of 2nd wind and CON saves. I would probably go paladin if I thought more than 1 level.
I would suggest fighter is the better choice, you get a fighting style, you get second wind, and both classes give weapon mastery (tho three kinds of weapons vs. two favors fighter). Paladin is not a bad choice, it does give access to Divine Favor (but Spirit Shroud is better later on) and 2 1st levelled slots can help with regards to warlocks limited pact slots, but a fighting style is a passive bonus and second wind heals more than lay on hands, albeit being self healing only.
I would also say fighter is better due to DEX, you need 15 Strength to get the best heavy armour, medium armor soft caps at a +2 dex bonus. Paladin requires Strength but Fighter can go Strength or Dexterity. Picking Dexterity here is the better choice out of the two, it's better dex saves and higher initiative. So for ability scores, you could go 10 13+1 14 8 12 15+2 starting attributes and have all the dexterity you'll ever need and then you also get con save proficiency which with either warcaster feat or eldritch mind invocation means you're probably never failing a concentration saving throw for the good old spirit shroud or other concentration spells.
I'd also say if you take it too level 2 later on, Fighter still beats Paladin, Fighter gets action surge which is better than anything Paladin gets at level 2, tactical mind is also okay as a way to pass some ability checks that would else wise fail. for Paladin, they then get a fighting style and get paladin smite... but Paladin smite quickly becomes obsolete.
If you take it too level 3 it might switch to Paladin, just since Oath of Devotion and Oath of Vengeance are now really strong in 2024, perhaps enough to even edge out battlemaster from fighter, most notably these two subclasses from Paladin have channel divinities that activate on attack. Sacred Weapon or Vow of Enmity, on a pact weapon on a high CHA Warlock is probably not going to be missing many attacks at all.