Better solo artist -- Monk vs paladin?

[Jimjam]

If you're going to be getting the very top level gear I'd say monk. The way mend scales with max hp is just insane once you are geared, and the vanilla class drawback of being restricted to bad blunt weapons and low ac equipment gets completely worked around by Kunark and Velious.

For challenges FD makes a more convenient reset button than 90% rez and you'll have access to a powerful slow clicky.