AOE is one of the reasons I like the pally - sure, lot of ppl don't even list the paladin as an AOE tank - but - I have 4?5? blue AOEs plus the wraiths line (AOE boosts) and of course, consecrate

Add to that, I would list a pally as the 2nd best in survivability (after the guard), meaning I can take on a herd of mobs, AOE and live to tell the tale