Paladin/Healer/Shaman- Your major defense is Sanctuary, and second is protection. This is what makes this class different from others. But, what makes them special from other classes when any other class can go out and get preps to get sanctuary, or ABS, and more?

1) Each of those classes has numerous unique abilities, not just those two.

2) It is not true in the slightest that any other class can "go out and get preps to get sanctuary, or ABS". At most, Aura and Shield could be in play (the weaker of the four abilities), and those are quite rare.

What makes these classes special again? Please, do not theory fight me either. Well, a shaman can dispel your ABS, and all other stuff.

3) They cannot dispel A/B/S. A large number of other abilities either can't be dispelled, or it is very difficult to dispel them. (Consider Spellcraft.)

How long can a shaman really last in a fight? They just keep getting hit at higher ranks, and dont really hit back except with their maladictions, but by that time they need to flee. I'm just posting as to what I've seen at higher ranking fights.

4) You're apparently watching bad shamans, because they have excellent staying power. Block/parry plus inherent damage reduction plus efficient, repeatable healing makes them one of the most difficult classes to beat down. Those maledictions you mention as an afterthought are quite potent as well. We've had any number of extremely successful shamans who exploited these strengths.

But that's not the point, the point was that what makes these classes special with their defensive capabilities is that they get the sanctuary spell. But, when others can get it too, what makes them special?

5) Barring a few truly exceptional cases, if you have Sanctuary, it's because your class gives it, or because a PC healer (or a minority of paladins that can do this) granted to you. Sanctuary is a powerful ability, and thus not available in the general case.

Despite what you claim elsewhere, all of these specifics are very relevant to your argument. You're creating a straw man, deliberately or otherwise, where any character can just go out and get these powerful abilities. It's not the case.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com