If your build wields a Monarch or wears Myrmidion boots, why aren’t you rocking an Archon Plate?

Been reading a lot of build guides lately and the majority seem to settle for a Mage Plate Enigma, but the build has a minimum 156 str req. does the extra Defense make such little difference?

archon plate eni puts you over 156 and forces you to stat into strength unless you've got tons from your rings and amu. it also negates any str coming from say a glove with >106 str req.

no, def makes no actual difference unless you're playing melee vs melee. even if it did dusk or wyrm would make more sense to use than ap.

Mage plate 55str requirement
Arcon plate 103str requirement

You will put less points into str to hit 156 str for spirit monarch

So basic gear would be like
20 base stats
40 stats torch/anni
You can wear mage plate enigma now(+73 str)
5 stats for mara amulet
2 stats from shako
10stat from war trav

That’s like 150 str already you just need 6 more to wear spirit monarch rest will go to vitality

Facts

Use AP if you are super rich and can afford all the gear to get to the strength requirement without using hard points. If you can't do that ALWAYS use a MP.

Or just stick with your 20 str rings and str amulet and never be able to gear swap anything without having huge gearing problems.

Again if you are rich you can afford what you need.

For most builds, the best enigma in d2r is either dusk shroud or wyrmhide, as it gets you the most defense while also limiting your Str needs.

Archon is dumb to use in d2r. It was used in d2 lod due to Str bugging your enigma