doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
The split character just has to rely more on spell slots and such, but they work just fine. In my extensive experience playing such characters.Well you mentioned skill warlock can also get them and guidance at level 2.
Downside of multiclasding is missing out on that 2nd attack. Or feat at 4th with 2/2 split. And being a dual wielder you can't afford that split early on.
Mechanically Paladin 5/Warlock 2 for example is fine. So is Pal6/rogue 1.
Mechanically you can't really make them work early though. At beat you're looking at 2 attacks a round at 5 with a 2/3split vs a mono class 4. That's a big hit.
Single big attack eg eg 2/rogue xyz or building around true strike sucking from 4 to 7 not my cup of tea.
4 paladin/rogue 1 won't be ideal but not a train wreck. 3 attacks with divine power, hunters mark or smites as options
Something has to give though.