werecorpse
Adventurer
Don't forget Sacred Oath, it's the "feature" that, from the very beginning of D&D and all its new versions (called different things), defined what it means to be a Paladin and not just a Fighter. Read PHB pg 85-86... from 3rd level, you are expected to be living and breathing your vows. It's the reason you're given extra powers, over and above a Fighter. If you don't bother using it at your table, that's up to you, but much like the Cleric, you're missing the point if you just play them as just another a regular-Joe with some spells and stuff.
Sure but the fact that you should roleplay your character is something common to all characters. Fighters should be roleplayed as well, with personal goals, secrets, codes of conduct or whatever. To the extent the oaths and additional role play obligation is seen as a justification for more mechanical power I don't buy it. Plus in 5e if you break your oath it's an "off screen" event to say whoops and you are golden. So my attitude to this is sure they have an expectation they will be roleplayed in a particular way, same with monks, barbarians, bards, etc that can't possibly still be being used as a justification for their power. In 1e the code existed and was required but the balancing thing was the fact it cost more XP to level up. A mechanical difference