class difference!

[Loopy]

Bloodlust and Berserker (req for Bloodlust) cost a metric ton of might runes. And if you want to be a true master of rage you need the other rage abilities, which will improve damage by up to 60%, give you a 60% chance to use rage twice a turn, and give you a ton of rage. Those happen to be on the opposite end of the tree. Other classes aren't going to have a chance at filling the entire tree in, so they will need to decide between starting with rage or gaining and using it much more efficiently. And TBH I think Bloodlust is pretty bad in comparison, chugging a rage potion is just as good and the other end of the tree has some awesome things.

In the end I would much prefer no unique skills at all, letting rune availability determine what you can get. The first unique skill of each tree is pretty meh except Edda vs undead, and the second unique would be damn hard to reach even if it was available.

[BB Shockwave]

Those people who love to go "munchkin" on this game and don't mind using the same army in all their walkthroughs always did, and always will complain that the Paladin sucked...

But he didn't.

He was not an uber powerhouse that could be (ab)used to steamroll everything. So what? I never play these games for a 4-hour gametime walkthrough or such sillyness. I had a lot of fun with my Paladin in both TL and AP/CW. In TL, they provided a nice balance between mage and warrior, letting me use a little of both skill trees (a warrior has trouble mastering magic schools and a mage has trouble with the might tree) - plus some added bonus. Also, leadership. Paladin had a lot of Regalia slots - came in handy to increase my army size. Basically, I got to use all but the most powerful spells and Rage spirit skills, trying out all the aspects of the game on my first walkthrough. It was fun. When I replayed as a Mage, I now knew what spells I want to focus on.

In AP, the Paladin got easy access to some great skills like the inititative/speed-raising random Adrenaline, good Rage and spell abilities, plus Resurrection after battle which is just great. Not to mention her class-specific medals that boost Paladins and Inquisitors a LOT.

WotN changed things, but it's unfair to say the larger army means the Paladin will be overpowered now. Unless you are doing Impossible and have calculated everything with minute detail, you will not notice much of a difference. The Warrior will still have an easier time mastering army-boosting Might skills and rage skills, the Mage will still have easier access to the (now 4!) magic schools. It's still balanced.