Semi-dumb question about OT

[Ekimmak]

Okay, I'm still leveling my Pally, and I'm currently 65. I have played MMORPG's for a while, but never before played Tank. I'm enjoying it, but I have some questions about being an Off-Tank:

I understand that my job as OT is to pick up the adds. But what about when there are no adds? Am I then essentially DPS? Should I switch into Sword Oath to maximize the damage? Is there any benefit to having me remaining in Shield Oath so I can at least be second on the enmity list?

There's rarely any reason for the offtank to be in tankstance while not grabbing adds or the like.

I can think of perhaps one case: The Emanation (Extreme), where the boss will throw out extremely powerful cone attacks at the second in the threat list, and you want those directed at the offtank.

At all other times, you focus on DPS'ing. If the boss doesn't have tankswap mechanics, it's preferred that you use Provoke, then Shirk, whenever Shirk is off cooldown.