Funny that I have 5 out of the top 10 there. I will say that the two shield specs(Mine was Risgran) were pre-wrathNerf, and pre-edgeNerf, so that had a lot to do with it. I haven't played a shield ded in a very long time, but with the right Edges, and EQ they can get pretty deadly. Elves probably not so much any more because of the 2 round Wrath. Passive Melee and bash defense on a shield ded are pretty nice compared to the others, but they lack real active Melee options that Monk(intensify), and Champion(Marshall) have. Human makes up for it with a 23 Str(Read better Parry), and no Vulns(Ugh, Iron) You will notice, at least with mine the success comes at a price. I died A LOT. With a paladin, you can be uber surviveable, and never die, but that lowers your chance of sealing kills considerably, unless you are an elite PKer like Shappa. You have to let them take you to the Edge, or they will just avoid the fights all together.

I should write a FAQ some day. PM me with any specific questions.