You're guys all trolling.
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While true that Ret Pally DPS is generally behind other DPS classes, don't let this discourage you from playing Ret, or inviting Rets, for 5-man content. The utility they bring is still top notch, and where they may fall behind on actual throughput damage they make up for in the ability to off-heal on top of all the utility (Auras, Blessings, etc.) they bring.
I only ever did 5-man content as Ret in Classic and never had any issues. Granted, we all know more about the game now, but the only place Rets likely shouldn't be considered is in Raiding (and again this is guild/team specific. Depending on guild goals, bringing a skilled, fully-consumable'd Ret can be fine).
I never made it to 60 as paladin but I don't recall having issues healing or tanking in dungeons in vanilla as a paladin. That said, I think I got to like the mid 40s, maybe 50s? I remember doing Uldaman for sure. I THINK I also did Mara on my paladin in vanilla. But I didn't hit 60 until after BC so I can't comment on how they did in say Stratholme/UBRS etc.
I have 0 experience with private realms, as such take the following remark with a pinch of salt.
I think you folks saying that you can are overestimating the players' level acceptance for specs that were only marginally accepted before. It is not that you can, but that it'll be accepted by others, especially when you have droves of players coming from retail into classic - old and new alike.
I don't think it can be as it were when we first started vanilla and most people were oblivious to this sort of thing and things were sort of accepted.
Retri DPS has already been tested there are tons of video and the range is usually
Pre-Raid = 300dps
BWL BiS = 500dps
Naxx = 600-650dps
Only Pala Buffs + Basic Consumables
Taking in count lag, prob bugs or even not perfect rotation due to various elements likes : spell scaling differently on ps like Consecration is based upon AP instead of SP or different boss reduction formula infact all ps bosses takes way more DMG or don't mitigate properly etc etc
Paladins do not work in vanilla as tank. Warrior outperform them with ease
Paladins are amazing healers in raids. As I stated, I don't really plan on tanking end game as I know Warriors do it so much better, however, healing is a whole different story as they're some of the best. Plus I like the job of keeping certain buffs up on people and auras. A true support class that makes those around him better.
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I find it strange to read this thread and see everyone talking about how utterly AMAZING Paladins are as tanks in Vanilla when I don't recall a single instance when I ever even saw one back then. They were nearly all Holy, with a small handful that were Ret. Never met a Tankadin until TBC.