If you can do the following:
(1) Use inspirations.
(2) Not take yourself so seriously that you think dying has any impact in this game. Put together a wakie/BF/blue, pop em, zip away, and try again.
Then you can have fun with approximately 5% defense (Combat Jumping + Stealth or Maneuvers) and 0% resistance.
I have 68 active characters in my spreadsheet. None of them have the fighting pool, none of them have ever intentionally pursued a defense set bonus, and only the taunters even bother with glad armor/steadfast/shield wall/reactive procs any more.