[Bubbles]

Paladins are pretty scarce (and fairly cheap to gear because of it). If you have your sights set on raiding, The only loot line even shorter than the Paladin line may be Ranger, and it's a dead heat.

Shaman is a nice mix of melee, healing, and buffing/debuffing.

Groups always need tanks and heals, those would be my recommendations.

As far as dps goes, Mages are dps incarnate, plus summons and dmg shields.. and they fit into any group composition to make it better. I know you said you wanted to stay away from casters, but a mage is kinda a fun way to do it.. Also you can get a pair of 5/55 rings and grind up the plat for your focus items and be set till level 51.