Anyone else love...

[Ralvenom]

That insight has lead me to pause leveling gladiator at 17 on my would be paladin character and start leveling marauder to 30 instead.

If you want to use WAR cross-class skills, let's examine the options:
Bloodbath: Converts 25% of physical damage dealt into HP (for 30sec) -- Blunted by PLD's lower dps, but still useful.
Foresight: Increase defense by 20% (for 20sec) -- The weakest WAR CD, but does fit the whole "Physical Mitigation Tank" idea of PLD.
Fracture: 100 potency upfront + 18 sec DoT -- But you already have Goring Blade, which is better.
Mercy Stroke: 200 potency attack on targets under 20% hp. -- Rarely useful, unless you're unable to use your other attacks.

You're better off sticking with keeping marauder at lvl 15, than lvling up to 26 for Mercy Stroke. Just keep lvling GLD & then PLD.

[Deezee]

Fracture is only 18s if you cross class it (30s for WAR with a WAR only trait enhancement)

[Ralvenom]

Fracture is only 18s if you cross class it (30s for WAR with a WAR only trait enhancement)

True. (Fixed.) Either way, there's already Goring Blade for PLD. So, not much reason to use Fracture as a PLD.

[Reila_Circus]

I remember one healer on my way to levelling DRK to 50 literally being like

"what the fuck"
"every other drk ive come across died so fast"
"how come u take like no damage?"

my response to him was

"did every other drk you came across have pld and war levelled to 50?"
"and did they have the necessary subclass skills?"

I linked him a few pieces of WoD/aug IW tank gear and all he replied with was

"holy fuck i love u"

Reminds me of the time I ran expert roulette and the healer said that I was the first DRK he's never had a problem healing.

Made me feel warm and fuzzy that day.