Quote Originally Posted by Kitru View Post
*snip*
You're correct in just about everything here. However, I'd like to point out a couple of things. These aren't to refute any of your points, but just to add to what you said.
  • When Paladin swaps stances, it costs them two global cooldowns: One for entering Sword Oath and one for returning to Shield Oath. For Warrior, Defiance toggle is off GCD. It only costs them a chunk of their HP. They also don't interrupt combos. Warrior stance swaps are much more fluid.
  • Vengeance can do quite a bit of damage over its 15 second duration. Its only 12.5% uptime, but every bit counts. Especially when you're getting hit by two Gaolers with Maim, Unchained and Berserk up.
  • Don't discount the crit bonus from Wrath stacks or Internal Release. These are tiny buffs, but again, they add up.
  • Any time Overpower or Steel Cyclone can be used profitably, Warrior also benefits here, but this is pretty needless to say.

So, while PLD DPS in Sword Oath is roughly equal to WAR DPS w/o Defiance, in real life scenarios, Warrior is going to outshine Paladin in the damage department in the long run.