War rotation is not set in stone. Its dependent very much so on the fight and comp. As long as you are doing plds standard rotation, there is hardly any mp management. It isn't dark knight. You don't really need to think as much as you are claiming.

TBH, paladin isn't popular due to the reasons you said, that is only somewhat true after all the tanks got disemboweled. Its popular more so due its aesthetic. Pld also took things from the other tanks. People really like swords and sword and shield over a great axe. Most don't find greataxes cool. Its also flashier and more gaudy (lesser than dark, but still there). War is very grounded and is animations are relatively mediocre. They don't try with warrior. Most armor and weapons? Plds tend to be better than war. Glamour is everything. I actually find plds animations to be pretty boring. HW pld was very boring and it was TERRIBLE, and yet, it was the most played tank, I'm sure. It is true that many warriors are complaining about their lack in buttons, which is an all time low right now