Donīt forget knockdown!
Espacially if you get a few levels rouge in the combo!
Very nice!
Armour is important in the earlier sequencies of the game, after awhile damage resistence is much more inportant because when you face mean dragons, high level fighters, the question isnīt IF he is going to hit you, but how many times and if you are still standing after this.
I noticed this with a wizard/ranger/rouge I had, mainly wizard, that was ver very weak in close combat but had weapon finesse and dual wielded a rapier and a shortsword. She hit most time, but dealt little damage, but with damage resisting items, she survived with her meager 68 hitpoints..
Soak +1/5 items helps more than you think, and the belt of greate swordsman etc is a sure way to get home in one piece after a fight!