So what exactly IS the issue with Warrior?

[Paikis]

Those numbers also inflate that value of Berserk by 20% (was using 50% +dam instead of the 40% that it actually is) and don't completely ignores the fact that you often don't want to use Berserk asap because of timing issues, like wanting to prep a big IB or making sure you're not locked out with Pacification when an add spawns.

Yes, your numbers do ignore a lot of things. They also can't account for a lot of things. That's because the numbers are based on god knows how many assumptions that simply don't pan out in real-world examples. It is the best that's available, but the parsers tell a very different story. Maybe the parsers are wrong, maybe they all have well geared WARs and poorly geared PLDs. I don't know what the reason is, but every parse I've ever seen with 1 WAR and 1 PLD has had the WAR a good 20% more damage in front of the PLD.

When the maths says one thing, and the tests say something else, I start thinking maybe there's something the maths hasn't accounted for.

[Maelwys]

I don't know what the reason is, but every parse I've ever seen with 1 WAR and 1 PLD has had the WAR a good 20% more damage in front of the PLD.

When the maths says one thing, and the tests say something else, I start thinking maybe there's something the maths hasn't accounted for.

One reason might be WAR's damage resistance debuff.

Most impartial "same-gear/stats" parses I've seen have been a bit iffy on ability rotations... and I'm really not sure why, because PLD's rotation is ridiculously easy: Spam RoH combo, use SW and CoS and FoF on cooldown. Shield Swipe and Mercy Stoke if they pop up. [Optional: Fracture after it wears and you're not mid-combo - IIRC it's a very slight gain in PLD DPS. Usage will depend on TP level: if you're likely to bottom out, don't use it]. Job Done.

If you pick Random Tanks in game (not purposely equally geared/stat'ed) and ask them what their DPS is like, it's another matter...

Firstly, in game more WARs tend to have +Str (via gear and/or point distribution) than PLDs - because of the mob "Must increase Self-Heals" mentality. The flip side is that PLDs tend to have more +Vit for the same reason, so they're generally seen as a lot tougher than WARs before you even factor in cooldowns. If you pick a random WAR and a random PLD, then stick both in i90 Allagan armor and melded Gryphonskin accessories... then chances are they'd be a LOT closer in both damage and survivability.

Secondly, on a lot of endgame content PLDs tend to use "Circle of Scorn" pretty much on Cooldown, but save "Spirits Within" to use situationally. This is intentional - Silence diminishing returns is a [Censored], which means you have to be rather careful with SW usage on the likes of the later half of AK (Succubus) and certain Coil Turns...

[symba]

The only reason warriors seem to have higher dps is because they have a better dps rotation they can use that won't take aggro/threat. Which in reality makes them a lot more practical for DPSing on any encounter. HS>MAIM>SE is 203.33 Potency/GCD (plus it comes with a 20% damage buff & 10% slashing resist) and 66.67 TP/GCD. Paladins have FB>RB which is 190 Potency/GCD and 75 TP/GCD.

[Maelwys]

The only reason warriors seem to have higher dps is because they have a better dps rotation they can use that won't take aggro/threat. Which in reality makes them a lot more practical for DPSing on any encounter. HS>MAIM>SE is 203.33 Potency/GCD (plus it comes with a 20% damage buff & 10% slashing resist) and 66.67 TP/GCD. Paladins have FB>RB which is 190 Potency/GCD and 75 TP/GCD.

Again, CoS and SW are being left out...

(PLD can weave in RoH as long as you monitor your hate levels and only switch back to Riot Blade if you start being in danger of pulling threat off the "other" Tank - you generally want to be #2 on the hate list anyway!!)

[symba]

Again, CoS and SW are being left out...

(PLD can weave in RoH as long as you monitor your hate levels and only switch back to Riot Blade if you start being in danger of pulling threat off the "other" Tank - you generally want to be #2 on the hate list anyway!!)

I know about CoS & SW. I'd still say warrior would be doing more damage than a paladin however. Especially in longer fights with no invigorate the TP differential makes a huge difference.

Edit: Just did a quick parse of Bravura war vs curt+1&holy shield+1 paladin over 2~ minutes. Paladin spamming FB>RB with CoS & SW. Warrior using IR/Berserk on CD spamming HS>Maim>SE. Paladin had clear TP issues after 90~ seconds while the warrior maintained the full fight thanks(?) to pacification from berserk plus a lower TP/GCD rotation. Warrior came out at 208.1 dps whereas the paladin came out at 198.33 dps.