Important ability scores for cavaliers

[Ravingdork]

I'm used to classes specifically telling you what ability scores are important to that class and why.

Cavalier on the other hand, doesn't seem to favor ANY ability score over any other.

What ability scores do you think are most important to a cavalier and why?

[Abraham spalding]

In order of importance in my mind at least:

Str > Con = Wis > Dex = Cha > Int

IT also depends on which order you take -- some of the orders are high Cha, while other are much less so -- if you take order of the sword for example then you can drop Cha to the bottom with Int if you want.

Please realise I'm only stating this as a "mechanical" point of view -- not as a commentary on the cavalier or what I would or wouldn't do with it.

Strength is important so you hit and deal damage. Con might not be as needed if you are constantly doing ride by attacks with spirited charge. Wisdom is rather useful as it always is for any melee class, You already get 4+ Int Mod skill points, even if you put one into ride each level that's 1 more than the fighter has so you should be fine with even or slightly low Int.

[overchill42]

Strength is up there, since it is the attack stat. Constitution is also high, because the Cavalier is a melee class. Charisma makes a number of your class abilities work: Tactician, Banner, and some order-based stuff (IIRC). Dexterity and Wisdom are interchangeable, since they shore up weak saves. Dex might have an edge since it also does AC, Ride, and Initiative. As much as I love skill points, Intelligence gets the shaft by process of elimination.

Doesn't seem that complex. I suppose it might depend on how exactly you want to play though: canny tactician, gruff drill sergeant, knight in shining armour... all are going to move the stats around a bit.