Paladins have good attack points and can withstand magic attacks, but not very good at other defenses.
Death Indentures will turn Paladins into Death Knights with triple attack points. Magic Bracers transform Paladins into Mage Knightswith double attack points. Earth Indentures transform Paladins into Mage Knights who are best at defending your city. They all need the same amount of food as the Paladins but travel at a faster rate. I love to take them to attack npcs these days.