I am looking at making a paly, mainly because I remember seeing a HElf paly who could out tank most warriors I saw (probably he was good and they were not so good) any way, I am a very casual player and the character I make would probably not get past 55/60 and solo most of the time - My major problem is this class seems to get alot of bad press due to tanking abilities especially the elf, I do love a challange but dont want waste a character - any advice.

Paladins make great tanks, as long as you have half-decent gear and know what you're doing.

I'd recommend grouping or soloing in the current and former most recent hotzones for the augment drops and new Watchmaker quests.

If you have Serpent's there are also plenty of soloable tasks for decent augments or gear.

The new player made Energaeic armor is very nice for mid levels.

Start saving up for DoN crystals to get augs / gear / weapons from the merchants in Lavastorm when you reach about level 50. You'll be able to get all melee stats maxed and maybe pick up some +10ac augs starting around level 58.

Know what your spells do. Paladin don't have a lot of special spells but there are some. There are several self-only buffs they get, like Breath of Tunare and the melee proc buff Divine Might. Make sure you're always fully buffed when tanking anything risky.

AC is worth more than HP, gear accordingly. Roughly 5hp = 1ac for tank classes.

Root, Divine Aura and Lay Hands are your friends. Do not be afraid to use them.

If you plan on soloing alot, I would try and get goulbane for you lower levels. It makes killing the undeads you will encounter alot easier. And as far as High elves not be good tanks, I will beg to differ. We may not be the BEST tanks, but we are by far the BEST LOOKING tanks!!! :.)

Also with the elf class, your starting wisdom is a lil higher and will make casting ability easier than some of the counterparts. And the nightvision was nice back in them days as well. But once you get a few levels underyour belt, class IMO is not that important. Just use what is give to ya and you will be fine.

Soon as you hit level 10 or so, I would recomend you go to unrest, Learn that zone and you can just about get to level 35 there and there is alot of undead there for ya!