AC vs stats question

[Ferok]

For tanks, AC is king. This is less true until you're MT'ing hard hitting velious mobs (in which case you'll need copious HP), but in those cases you've got access to better items anyway.

Kunark armor is usually your best option, though you can make a case for your Plane of Hate/Fear armor in certain slots (and especially where you have no access to the Kunark equivalent eg. legs, chest). Valorium gloves (13ac 5str 5sta 5wis 10svD) are arguably better than Deepwater gloves (16ac Click: 7 second Cancel Magic) for instance.

Everything changes in Velious, especially with the accessibility of Thurgadin/Skyshrine/Kael armor sets.