I think an interesting possible fix to paladin is to take there defensive measures to a more aggressive state.
I mean here are the points for why its dead that ive seen.
#1 It doesnt do great damage
#2 whereas it survives very well as a tank its increasingly difficult to maintain hate
Compared to another DD
#1 does great damage
#2 Due to increased HP maximums it now tanks good enuf and has 0 hate problems.
So i think the solution to making this class useful again is by giving them skills that creatively debuff and add layers of aggressive defense and at the same time allowing them to ignore some things normal DD tanks cant.
Possible ideas.
Job Trait: Sanctuary
Aggressive enemies are subject to a plague aura when standing beside the paladin.
The plague could be as little as 5 and as much as 10 depending on how frisky u wanted to be with it. But it needs to be constant and reliable. (does not stack with itself)
Job Trait: Persistence
Hate decay and hate resets are 50% less effective vs pld.
Job ability: Cover II
as cover except:
automatically cover an ally being attacked regardless of battle positioning.
Job Ability: Forbiddance
5 min recast
4 yalm range
Deny target access to Weapon Skills for 30 seconds.
Job Ability: Retributive Strike
recast 1 minute
Deliver a powerful Sword strike when this skill is used. This skill can only be used when a monster switches targets from the paladin to an ally and then damages said ally. 1 second window from the damage done to ally. (similar in damage to sneak attack. Str and Vit modded Crit hit)
Job Trait: Auto-Recovery
A 10% chance every 3 seconds to remove 1 negative status.