[Ektar]

it'll come down to what you want to play. I love paladins and would never play a different class in any game ever. I never roleplay in eq but the idea of what a paladin is tingles my giblets.

Otherwise they're not "the same" class with opposing differences like that. For example, LoH and HT are counterparts, but they aren't "opposites" like white vs black armor. They have distinct different roles in the game.

Paladins are good safety nets. They armored and can steal a mob off someone with a quick cast of stun or whatever else. They can heal well in a disaster and, obviously, LoH also. Now in kunark with a group heal, they're even better safety nets. When I played my groups were ever safer when I was there. Not only because I was a paladin but because I rocked socks.

SKs I can't say as much about, someone else can hop in.