Instead of a flat reduction to damage taken, Warrior is the High HP, damage sponge tank. I would much rather have an ability that is equal to a paladin's in terms of eHP, without seeming like a carbon copy of the skill. Like say a move much like sentinel, only instead of reducing damage taken by 40% for the duration, we heal 40% of the damage done to us during the duration. That way our HP constantly goes down, albeit at a lessened rate and essentially uses the extra HP from defiance as a sponge to heal back (mitigate) the damage.

Both of the skills effectively reduce damage taken by 40% for the entirety of the buff, while making the play styles of the tanks polar opposites, this is the only way I believe warrior can be balanced with a paladin and not be a carbon copy.

As long as they're the same CD, buff duration, and eHP gain...the skills can be polar opposites and be completely balanced.