Paladin - race?

[Snaggles]

The Barnacle Breastplate? That one is a quest and you can find a walk-through either on the Wiki page or Zam.

I helped my wife level her high elf to 55 so don't have other race experience. The dwarf pally has the best stats but I can see if you don't like the look. Doing it again I would prob go Erudite for the unique look but stat-wise they are pretty horrible (hence why they get the Shield of the Stalwart Seas).

Half-elf and High-Elf Tunare diety get the Natures Defender as an option in Velious which is a nice semi-epic weapon.

While the Pally doesnt shine in PvP it does well in melee duels because they can last a long time. The high elves are definitely most blessed in the wisdom dept and since their heals approach the 3/1 ratio (heal to mana) it's not a bad route. Even spending some points in str to help with carrying plate wouldn't leave your blue bar gimped.