In this paper, we examine the end-to-end average pairwise error probability (PEP) and output probability (OP) performance of the maximum ratio combining (MRC) based selective decode and forward (S-DF) system over an η–µ scattering environment considering additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The probability distribution function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) expressions have been derived for the received signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and the moment generating function (MGF) technique is used to derive the novel closed-form (CF) average PEP and OP expressions. The analytical results have been further simplified and are presented in terms of the Lauricella function for coherent complex modulation schemes. The asymptotic PEP expressions are also derived in terms of the Lauricella function, and a convex optimization (CO) framework has been developed for obtaining optimal power allocation (OPA) factors. Through simulations, it is also proven that, depending on the number of multi-path clusters and the modulation scheme used, the optimized power allocation system was essentially independent of the power relation scattered waves from the source node (SN) to the destination node (DN). The graphs show that asymptotic and accurate formulations are closely matched for moderate and high SNR regimes. PEP performance significantly improves with an increase in the value of η for a fixed value of µ. The analytical and simulation curves are in close agreement for medium-to-high SNR values.