1h or 2h for pally

[Lorraine]

That example was used to highlight the threat generation abilities of the Knight (hybrid) classes when compared directly to the other predominant tanking class (the warrior). As a class, we don't live or die by weapon DPS, and we don't live or die by praying for procs. Paladins can tank (pick up, hold, and control mobs) with no weapons equipped.

As far as the level range goes, during classic there were some specific level ranges for different camps. Frenzy for example, needed a 44lv tank if you had no slower/CC. Efreeti needed a 46+ level tank and a slower/CC was semi mandatory. A paladins great strength is in the fact that the class allows you to snap and hold aggro on multiple mobs at a time, regardless if they are slowed or not and that's due to high threat generation non-damaging spells. I can tank one mob while my enchanter debuffs/slows a mezed mob to oblivion. Tab/switch targets, cast a couple stuns while still holding the other and when my current mob gets bellow 20% I switch to the next one. Warriors can't do that unless the mobs are rooted. Shadowknights feel limited due to avoiding using spells that have DoTs built in.

When it comes to duo/trio, it's a no brainer that you kinda want to have the highest DPS weapon possible equipped. And even in this scenario, it is still situational / subjective.

When the OP starts to get into the interesting level ranges, where enchanters can keep weaponized/max hasted charmed pets around, and when Calm/Root and camp splitting can be vital -- his DPS will not make or break the group. His survivability and multitasking though will make a difference.

Like, in your example.
Were you tanking?
Was the paladin tanking?
Were you killing bats? If yes, who ever was tanking, was he getting stunned frequently? etc etc

There has to be some common ground here, if you're trying to reach some conclusions to this.

Sword of the Morning is pure dope for tanking. It also allows you to have a Sarnak Battle Shield equipped. Starting for low 50s and while you move up in the ladder of dungeons, unless you are able to finish Fiery Avenger and subsequently Fiery Defender, that combo can carry you all the way from tanking in SolB to Karnors to Charasis and to Sebillis. Because sooner than later you will be called to split Ice Cometing or Harm touching group of mobs. And that's when HPs / Resists will start playing a big part in your everyday life.

I'm all for increasing Paladin DPS. The thing is though, when decent mid50s groups can almost break 200 group DPS, your 35-50% increase on the 20DPS tank is actually less important than what it appears to be.


Closing out, I'm not even sure where we're taking this discussion to. I guess my basic principle and point here, is that DPS for a Paladin is not one of his strengths. It's one of our weaknesses. The sooner the OP and basically anyone that wants to play the class understands it, the better it will be. Start building on the class strength. Understand it, accept it, embrace it.
Maybe the 'discrimination' hybrids suffer from, is basically due to the fact that people wake up one day and decide to twink a paladin/ranger/bard and play them like they would twink and play a rogue/monk. And inevitably things get messy.
If you doubt me, go check Loraens post about his comparison between Sakuragi and Snoogan, and his conclusions. It's a fact that a group can get faster and safer exp by using a paladin as a tank instead of a warrior. But some people just can't see past that "oh noes 40% exp penatliez"...

Well, OP, that's the monkey on your back. Make them understand. And they will end up appreciating it.