In 2.x, when DET affected Sword Oath AAs, with Storm's Eye was maintained, PLD could win over WAR (not that it stopped PLD from being shoe-horned into MT, anyway). Because of the DET AA nerf in 3.0 and other such this isn't true anymore faik

The shield is not at issue. PLDs have shields, WARs have Storm's Path, DRKs have Reprisal + Grit'd Souleater. There are pros and cons to all three.

The issue with Paladin is the same issue facing White Mage. Both classes are shoe-horned as the potato of their roles going back to 2.0.

WHM the rudimentary healer, and PLD the rudimentary tank.