I have a 05 Lancer ES, and i know superchargers and turbochargers heat air as they compress it. and heat can hurt the combustion process by changing the density of air entering the intake manifold from a cool charge to a hot one. So is it pointless to have an intercooler on my lancer if its not turbo'd? or is the intercooler the first step in going the turbo route. sorry if its a dumb question

Its gonna be pointless. It will be an added restriction in your intake. Without that turbo or supercharger you are just wasting time, money, and HP.