Constantan vs meteoric vs bronze etc

Recently picked up an expensive meteoric plate recipe, now I am wondering is there something greater for defense? The meteoric seems quite a bit better than copper and iron but what about the other metals? I like to play a tank style for my friends but there are still monsters I can't take a hit from with all buffs up. Thanks for any info you can provide.

Edit• to clarify I am sitting over 80 blacksmith and nearly 50 masterwork.

 

it depends on the components. not just the metal, but how many sheets/straps/bindings are used in the recipe for that particular plate variation. here's the metal sheets

 

So it looks like white iron would give more raw damage resistance than meteoric, am I right in that assumption? The 4% is less than 2 full points or???

 

Meteoric gives the most damage resist. Some DR is replaced with +health for white iron

 

meteoric is the best defense vs physical attacks as it has the highest damage resistance, white iron might be better vs mages as it gives hp, constantine gives weapon damage and focus, bronze is weapon damage and resistance. Now if you want to see what ones are the best to use, like normal chest, augmented leg, epic boots, that kinda stuff, go to the crafting museum in renzia, a nested pot in desolis.

 

This is a formula I use to make armor for myself. While others will not agree it will give you a good starting point.

Sheet
--------------------------------------------------
Bronze | 1% Weapon Damage, 2% Damage Resistance
Constantan | 1% Weapon Damage, 2.5 Focus
Meteoric | 4% Damage Resistance
Binding
--------------------------------------------------
Bronze | 0.2% Weapon Damage, 0.6% Damage Resistance
Constantan | 0.2% Weapon Damage, 5 Focus
Straps
--------------------------------------------------
Cotton | 5 Focus
Fustian | 0.2% Focus (In order for Fustian Straps to be better than Cotton, need a little lower than 14.7% Focus boost)
Hardened | 0.4% Weapon Damage

--------------------------------------------- | Bronze Sheets | Hardened Leather Straps | Constantan Bindings - Optimal High Damage
--------------------------------------------- | Meteoric Sheets | Hardened Leather Straps | Bronze Bindings - Optimal High Damage Resist
--------------------------------------------- | Constantan Sheets | Cotton Straps | Constantan Bindings - Optimal High Focus
Epic Plate
Helm | 4 Sheets - 2 Bindings | BHC = 4.8% WD, 8% DR, 10 Focus | MHB = 0.4% WD, 17.2% DR | CFC = 4.2% WD, 20 Focus
Chest | 8 Sheets - 4 Bindings - 2 Straps | BHC = 10.4% WD, 16% DR, 30 Focus| MHB = 1.6% WD, 34.4% DR | CFC = 8.8% WD, 40 Focus
Gloves | 2 Sheets - 3 Bindings | BHC = 2.6% WD, 8% DR, 15 Focus | MHB = 0.6% WD, 9.8% DR | CFC = 2.6% WD, 20 Focus
Legs | 5 Sheets - 3 Bindings - 2 Straps | BHC = 6.4% WD, 10% DR, 25 Focus | MHB = 1.6% WD, 21.8% DR | CFC = 5.6% WD, 27.5 Focus
Boots | 3 Sheets | BHC = 3% WD, 6% DR | MHB = 12% DR | CFC = 3% WD, 7.5 Focus
Augmented Plate
Helm | 3 Sheets - 3 Straps | BHC = 4.2% WD, 6% DR | MHB = 1.2% WD, 18% DR | CFC = 3% WD, 22.5 Focus
Chest | 7 Sheets - 2 Bindings - 5 Straps | BHC = 8.4% WD, 14% DR, 35 Focus | MHB = 2.4% WD, 43.2% DR | CFC = 7.4% WD, 52.5 Focus
Gloves | 2 Sheets - 2 Straps | BHC = 2.8% WD, 4% DR | MHB = 0.8% WD, 12% DR | CFC = 2% WD, 15 Focus
Legs | 5 Sheets - 4 Straps | BHC = 7% WD, 10% DR | MHB = 2% WD, 30% DR | CFC = 5% WD, 32.5 Focus
Boots | 2 Sheets - 1 Strap | BHC = 2.4% WD, 4% DR | MHB = 0.4% WD, 12% DR | CFC = 2% WD, 10 Focus

 

I think all the different plate types are at least situationally useful. The most practical for general use is probably constantan. +weapon damage is always good, and nickel is a lot cheaper than tin.

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the thread

 

• Damage Absorption: Damage Absorption, the cap to how much damage resistance can be applied in a hit, was reduced significantly.

All our assumptions need to be rethought..... investigations required with Thursday's patch looming

 

I know this was posted awhile back so the numbers might have changed since then, but is it not +10 focus per cotton strap?

Also I cannot figure out how a fustian strap would ever be better than a cotton strap. Could you explain your reasoning?

 

If I'm not building a specific set for a specific playstyle, I tend to use bronze bindings as they outperform meteoric. As was previously stated, the quantity used in a recipe is quite important. As bindings tends to be not used in large quantities, the relative loss of defense compared to meteoric is negligible.

If I'm crafting magic-oriented gear, I'll likely opt for constantan bindings. I tend to focus on meteoric for sheets/coils unless otherwise requested. One is because tin is too expensive.