Quote Originally Posted by Lord_Zlatan View Post
I go with block rate. That is my personal preference. Being buffed with protect and stoneskin and decent gear (cavalry set) i like blocking more frequently. Some might call me a noob but I actually like it for Shield Swipe. So u get a block (mitigation) + a proc for more DPS. Block strength is nice, but its kind of redundant if you are stone skinned, protected, and generally healed pretty competently.
On the notion of preferring higher block rate, later on you will get an ability that increases your block by 60%. Meaning you want to have high block str to take advantage of that higher block %. That being said once you hit 50 you won't have the option to decide. You'll just use what you get.

GC shield
i49 shield from Aurume Vale (I tanked Titan with this)
i55 Darklight from WP
Darksteel crafted
Shield of the Crags (Titan drop: which I got about 5 minutes before relic.. kinda pointless)
Relic
Relic +1
Allagan (sidegrade to relic +1)