The races are not going to be EXACTLY the same in hp or power or stats... BUT.... they can still swing it and be just fine. Especially if you don't get too lax on your gear. While yes, an ogre will have a bit easier time as a tank type than a ratonga, it doesn't at all mean you can't be a ratonga (or in your case, High Elf) tank and still hold your own perfectly well.
-- I know I'm not supposed to bring up the "other" game *blush* but did you by chance come from FFXI like I did? I remember I spent hours trying to decide the most "effecient" race/job combo so I wouldn't get mocked in game. Don't worry about that here. Play whatever job fits your style... no one's going to say "hey you can't be a Troll scout!" and that is ...imho...one of the BEST things about this game.
I want to also say, AC matters more than uber HP. My 19 Iksar brawler with buffs on from my static Shammy and Crusader has about 850 HP. His AC is 530 or so, his attack is 313, his LOWEST resistance is Magic, and that's at 144, his higest is 245, and that's to poison. Even with all this - and I do have higher HP than our Crusader.... she still tanks better than me because her AC is around 680 or so atm. So HP - while nice... isn't going to make or break a tank.
Edited, Mon Dec 27 17:15:01 2004 by Ivven
Edited, Mon Dec 27 17:17:09 2004 by Ivven