if i remember correctly paladins end up being stronger than crusaders, but i prefer crusaders (idk why i just do).
your dex is really high for your lvl. if you intend on being red dex then just use the buttom that set your ap automatically.
using 1h or 2h swords depends on your funding i guess. see if you get 1h then in later lvls you would need a shield with some Att (not very cheap), but on the up side the scroll for the sword cost less. is you go 2h then you wont need a shield, but the scrolls and the weapons cost more, but i dont think that they cost so much that it would be more expensive than getting a shield.
(anyone, correct me if im wrong havent payed attention to my fighter in a while.)