[Razlath]

The thing about Dreadful Countenance is that it hurts the mob whether the MT is a DK or not. The debuff that is put on the mob is still just as effective whether the DK is MT or not. I don't see this ability making the DKs a peferable MT over Paladins as the Pally / DK combination of abilities would still be just as effective no matter who stands as MT.

Also, in the end you are going to reach DC5 in a raid/very tough encounter anyway.. and if I am understanding the ability correctly (from what you said in your OP), it is just getting you there faster. If DC were all that mattered there are other ways for the DK to build it very quickly against an opponent. While it is always possible to do it faster, I don't see it being sped up that much. So the end change is negligible.

I don't see the Pallys buffing DC as relegating them to the backburner as being at max DC does not really make the DK the "only" tank choice on the board. DC is both offensive and defensive, and getting it higher faster doesn't lock you into offensive or defensive play.

I would however raise a RP objection to this. Why in the world would the Paragon of Virtue (a Paladin) be assisting the manipulation / creation of unspeaking dread in their opponents? That is what doesn't make any sense to me. ;}