its only the durability superior that really makes it unaffordable. extra def isnt bad

thats not really true

Facts

if you worried about repair cost just use ral+armor in cube to repair armors. But yeah its still mage plate what you wona use fpr pvm.

PVM = MP
PVP = Dusk or AP (if you can get enough stats from gear)

never use ap eni. the high str req means you're wasting stat points to put on an armor that saves you stat points. makes no sense.

def generally doesn't matter in this game. so mp, cuirass or any other good looking light low req armors are all good options.
if you still want the def boost, go for a dusk or wyrm: they provide you with about the same def as ap while not costing you any additional stat points.

+1
If you have a lot of gear to swap in your stash then mp/bp/cuirass will make your life easier.
Ap is probably the most overrated Eni base. I completely can't understand why perf AP Enigma is the most expensive Enigma. Can be fine if you gear CoA 10/10 of time.

in LoD you could str glitch on an AP and desync more in pvp

but thats no longer relevant, i also don't get why ppl use them still