I just think they're harder to be successful with than people make them out to be. Obviously they can be extremely powerful in the right hands with the right build.

On paper, at least, the newbie shield paladin doesn't give up as much (vs. the same build played by a vet) as newbie warrior does compared to veteran warrior.

Give newbie guy a Hunsobo build in Empire. He probably never even makes Elite Blade and never has the kind of gear you did. He gets trashed left and right because he can't hide. Invokers tear him up in quicksand. Bards fiend him to death. Paladins wrath him down. Assassins have a field day because, despite being a giant sword spec, he's so weak sauce they don't have to fear permalag. Etc.

Now give newbie guy (who can role-play) Dupmasione's build. Assuming you were shield, that is- I forget. Newbie doesn't get a leader spot like Dupmasione but he might still make Maran for sheer effort. He doesn't get three virtues but he probably gets two. He won't be nearly as deathful with the build as you were but he should die a lot less than newbie-Hunsobo and might get a few kills with wrath spam.