Defense/Defense Rate --- which is better? :-)

[Kargor]

Well, I heard that "Defense" translates to "chance to get hit", and "Defense Rate" translates to "damage reduction when you get hit".

Now, the problem that I have once again (had it all the time, actually, but currently I'm getting in the stat range where Silk Battlegear becomes available, so...) is that some of the previous-generation items have + on them, and the current generation items do not (or not yet). The result is that the previous items tend to have either defense or defense rate (don't remember) higher than the "new" item, but the other value is lower --- and I don't know which to prefer.

Does it matter at all? It's just a few points, nothing huge. Are the the formulas for how defense/attack works known?

[D Dark]

Youve got that the wrong way round..

Def Rate = Higher chance of enemies getting miss

Def = How much damage you absorb

People tend to go Def due to PvP situations (combo mode doesnt miss) but with my Wiz i went more Def Rate so normal enemies stop battering me about so much due to my chars low defence.

[Clerith]

Like DD said, Def is better in PvP since Ref Rate is ignored, and Def Rate is better in PvE IMO. Pro players have both sets ^^