
Enigma grants a huge amount of additional STR, and many ppl just dont want to exceed the value demanded by their gear (which often is 156 for a monarch), so they can put the spare points into VIT. The advantage of the Mage Plate is just its low strangth req. But since Enigma grants a flat amount of defense instaed of percentages, the diffenernce in defense stays just the same as with the base types.(/which is only around 260 or so compared to an archon). The disadvantage of Mage Plates is its lower defense value as an exceptional armor in comparison to elite armor bases. Best choices would be Mage Plate, Dusk Shroud and Archon Plate.


Most ppl prefer light armor types because they bare no penalty to run/walk speed.
