Are you familiar with the Blind mechanics? Blind is your main aggro spell but it has some mechanical quirks which you'll need to learn to work with.
Blinding an enemy while in Melee range causes the target to attack whoever is closest (similar to the root mechanic).
Blinding an enemy while NOT in Melee range causes the target to be feared.
The fear can be useful when soloing or when fleeing. But in most cases you're not going to want it to be feared.
It's important to keep root loaded at all times because of the possibility of the fear (see below).
If you run up to a mob and blind it there's a chance that it will be feared anyway. This is because, while you're in melee range on your client, the server hasn't yet updated that you're in melee range.
My solution to this has been to either hit the mob or stun it to hold it in place (if it was chasing someone) and then hit it.
Once you land a melee hit the server immediately updates, knows you're in melee range, and will not cause the target to be feared when you land blind.
Once you've blinded the mob you have to be sure to stand very close to the enemy. If you're standing at max melee range any other person on the aggro list in melee range will probably be hit. Blind, like root, causes the target to attack whoever is closest. So it's important to get right up on the mob when tanking.
As far as spells I keep blind, all 3 stuns, top 2 heals, and root memmed at the very minimum.
Your level 30 Stun "Stun" is going to be your enchanter, cleric, or other squishy saver. It's also your pre-aggro Stun and interrupting spells if your Bash failed.
This Stun does no damage is a quick cast (compared to Holy Might and Force). You'll want to use this Stun on a broken mez, a broken charmed pet, any mob on a cleric or other squishy, or on your next target when your current target is about to die.
As a Paladin you really don't have a lot of control over mob placement. You can't really grab aggro on a mob and force it to come to you. You have to go to it. This is in regards to mobs in camp. Not pulling.
If there's a mob 10ft away and you stun it the melee is gonna hop on it and start DPSing it there or pet classes will send their pets in. You might still have enough aggro from the stun once the stun wears off for it to run to you. But most likely you're going to need to run in, hit it, and cast blind. Then once it's blinded it's not going to move. It'll just attack whoever is closest once you move away.
I don't want to turn this into a SK vs Paladin thread but I recently gained some SK perspective as I'm leveling one (in the 30s). SKs have the ability to grab aggro without doing damage or stunning the mob and forcing it to come to you. Whereas Paladins pretty much always have to go to where the mob spawned, was mezzed, or rooted.
Depending on the situation it might not matter. But I recently noticed this and thought it was relevant. YMMV
If you're looking to be a good Paladin who uses his or her toolbox to the max situation awareness, communication, understanding of mechanics, and the tools in your toolbox are key. Stun, root, heal, cures, and lull (if pulling) are your main utility spells. Making a macro for each of these can be handy to let the group know what's up. If you have a heal incoming on the almost dead enchanter or if you're rooting a mob (so they know to stay away until it's mezzed).
Regarding gear I used a Sword of the Morning and a good shield until I got my epic. I highly recommend this setup. SotM is a good, cheap, Paladin weapon.
http://wiki.project1999.com/Sword_of_the_Morning
If you have the plat and plan to hunt Undead I also recommend a Ghoulbane. I never went to Unrest but the Ghoulbane was still an effective weapon in my 40s while hunting undead in City of Mist. You'll eventually need a Ghoulbane for your Fiery Avenger (pre-epic). So it's worth buying either way.
Tips for leveling:
Pre-30 stun make sure you land a melee hit (watch combat log) before casting Blind
Get a Deepwater helm at level 45. It's a free heal assuming the target isn't cleric buffed
If you need a break from the grind go work on
http://wiki.project1999.com/The_Bone...rak_Lightforge