Most players of paladins currently have been playing their paladin since day 1. As in sometime 15-20 years ago that was their first character and is their main to this day. Interpret that however you may.... SK's are like rangers in a sense. Easy to play at a passable, be it mediocre apprentice level but to take it up a notch to mastery you REALLY have to know what you are doing. There so so many meh rangers and SKs out there that get the job done, for what its worth. The truly skilled shine all that much brighter as a result.
