Is the enlightened paladin archetype suitable for me?

[Anger Nogar]

Hello there. I have been itching for a while to try a tiefling paladin with its lay on hands favored class bonus, but my current DM has decided for a single classed game (no multiclass, variant multiclass or even prestige classes are on the table) so the Oradin is not an option.

We have tanking focused Warder (3rd party), Cleric, Inspiring Commander (3rd party) Cavalier and Sylvan Sorcerer in the party. I have my feat progression pretty much planned.

1. Fay Foundling
3. Power Attack
5. Cornugon Smash
7. Extra Lay on Hands
9. Greater Mercy
11. Skill Focus: Knowledge the Planes
13. Eldritch Heritage(Abyssal): Claws
15. Improved Eldritch Heritage: Strength of the Abyss

What I can't decide on is my archetype and weapon of choice. I am wondering between two options.

Vanilla Paladin with Falchion. The bonus is that it is simple, cheap for itemization and fully utilizes my Divine Bond. I am also considering swapping the Eldritch Heritage for another Extra Lay on Hands (or Intimidating Prowess if I find my intimidation checks lacking) plus Critical Focus and Staggering Critical.

Enlightened Paladin with unarmed strikes and natural attacks (Claws from tiefling, Gore from Helm of the Mammoth Lord, Bite from the Mother's Teeth trait). The bonus is that I deal a lot of damage when I can get a full attack, but I don't have pounce so this wont happen very often. It is also considerably more expensive to itemize. I am also considering swapping Greater Mercy and Eldritch Heritage feats for the Archon Combat Style feat chain since It is nice synergy with the paired opportunist feat that our Inspiring Commander is tossing left and right in fights.

I would appreciate any suggestion regarding which option to choose.

[Captain Morgan]

Is there a way to get dimension door on a paladin? Maybe item mastery? Because that could get you pounce if you devoted enough feats to it. Quick runner shirt would also be a good call.

[Anger Nogar]

Unfortunately Quick Runner's Shirt got nerfed so that your turn immediately ends after using the move action it gives you.
Getting the dimentional agility chain is also too much of an investment (if it is at all possible for a paladin) than I am willing to make.
I am not wondering how to get pounce. I am wondering how natural+unarmed fighting without pounce on a enlightened paladin supported by inspire courage (from our Inspiring Commander) measures to normal paladin supported by inspire courage that just picks a falchion and starts hitting stuff with it.

[Captain Morgan]

Your single hit damage is going to suffer. No two ways about that. You also are giving up a ton of smite damage, as well as the ability to smite more often with Oath of Vengeance.

And honestly, the natural attack route works better with a normal paladin. You'll get all that delicious smite damage on every natural attack. Unarmed works better if you can TWF or flurry or use pummeling style, but you don't have the feat room for all that.

I do like Enlightened Paladin. It's a cool concept and you'll probably still be fine. But unless your dm uses good or neutral enemies a lot, or you get hit with a lot of reroll based abilities, I think it's hard to argue it isn't a downgrade. But if you want to play a faster paladin that can still tank with the best of them? Have fun with it. Paladins get a ton of good class features and you'll still be an ass kicker.