Just curious as to how the defense rating affects gear. For instance, is taking gear that has nicer stats overall but a minus 8 defense rating really hurt one's defense?

Defense Rating is the stat that affects your dodge percentage.

 

It's a good stat if you want to tank, but remember that if you have Defense on a piece of gear, that gear will have less offensive stats ( like crit and power) so you'll kill slower.

 

The tanking stats are Defense, Shield Chance, and Absorption.

Defense Rating is the stat that affects your dodge percentage.

 

It's a good stat if you want to tank, but remember that if you have Defense on a piece of gear, that gear will have less offensive stats ( like crit and power) so you'll kill slower.

 

The tanking stats are Defense, Shield Chance, and Absorption.

 

Ok, so in other words it isn't as important for a DPS provided I have the assistance of a tank.

It's really only a good stat if you are specifically trying to be a good tank and you have someone else (another player or your companion) to do the killing for you.

 

If you are doing damage, then you want to load up on the offensive stats, which are Power, Crit rating, and Surge.