Do Paladins need a Haste item?

[kaev]

1. Every melee wants haste, although Bard probably gets the least value out of it and could get away with skipping it.
2. Soulfire is a terrible weapon at this stage of the game, think of it as a required step for your epic and equip something more effective.

If you want to use 2hander get Baton of Faith (30/40 2hb, cheap in EC, see it for 150 often.) If you can afford a decent 1hander and shield that's even better (shield ac helps a lot tanking, knight defensive skills don't get fixed until velious.)

Once you can afford it, get a haste belt. You want the added agro as a tank, so many ridic monk & rogue twinks running around, every bit of agro helps.