At that low level (28), the only stat that really matters for mitigation is Defense and Magic Defense, which only come by equipping higher Item Level gear or gear of increased rarity, like pink or green items, which typically have a better defensive rating if they're for tanks specifically. The main hand weapon is important for maintaining hate levels, yes, but does absolutely nothing for mitigation.
That said, many tanks/players will opt not to gear themselves out with the latest gear set, for any number of reasons, such as not wanting to spend money on a set they'll only be using for an hour if they're burning levels. Many hold out for the dungeon pink/green items. In the next dungeon after Haukke, Brayflox Longstop actually drops some very good tank gear. That player may be holding out for that. Is it in their own best interest or in the interest of their healer's sanity? Not really, but not everyone is looking to make life easier on folks.
At later levels, undergearing or alternative gear options can be alleviated by effective Cooldown usage and a little bit of know-how. But at low levels, MRD in particular does not have many defensive options. Fortunately, at 30, they'll get Defiance which will give them a marginal HP buffer with a constant Healing Potency increase, making tanking and healing much easier for everyone involved.
As for STR vs VIT tanks, the biggest difference is playstyle. Gearing STR is actually far more efficient gearing for a tank (and also provides higher mitigation than VIT) but does require the tank to be on top of cooldowns, AoE avoidance, and in the case of WAR, self healing. It's not a style you can be complacent with and just 1-2-3 snooze repeat. Having full i130 VIT accessories versus STR is only a 1,957 HP difference anyways. And at i130... that's an incredibly negligible value. Especially considering the trade off is 115 STR, which provides greatly increased damage, enmity, self healing, and parry/block strength.
That said, many tanks/players will opt not to gear themselves out with the latest gear set, for any number of reasons, such as not wanting to spend money on a set they'll only be using for an hour if they're burning levels. Many hold out for the dungeon pink/green items. In the next dungeon after Haukke, Brayflox Longstop actually drops some very good tank gear. That player may be holding out for that. Is it in their own best interest or in the interest of their healer's sanity? Not really, but not everyone is looking to make life easier on folks.
At later levels, undergearing or alternative gear options can be alleviated by effective Cooldown usage and a little bit of know-how. But at low levels, MRD in particular does not have many defensive options. Fortunately, at 30, they'll get Defiance which will give them a marginal HP buffer with a constant Healing Potency increase, making tanking and healing much easier for everyone involved.
As for STR vs VIT tanks, the biggest difference is playstyle. Gearing STR is actually far more efficient gearing for a tank (and also provides higher mitigation than VIT) but does require the tank to be on top of cooldowns, AoE avoidance, and in the case of WAR, self healing. It's not a style you can be complacent with and just 1-2-3 snooze repeat. Having full i130 VIT accessories versus STR is only a 1,957 HP difference anyways. And at i130... that's an incredibly negligible value. Especially considering the trade off is 115 STR, which provides greatly increased damage, enmity, self healing, and parry/block strength.
