question about ac softcap etc

[astrohax]

Ive been searching far and wide for definitive information on the AC softcap and have found only conflicting information.

As of right now in the server your ac softcap seems to be determined by a combination of level, class (whether you can use cloth, leather, chain, plate), and anything else? is there any way to calculate the softcap for a given level? I am a 28 ranger and probably cant even get to the cap, but am just curious about how it all works under the hood.

Also Ive heard ac doesnt even matter from some people and heard others say hp is useless and go hp all the way.... would you say there is a definitive "this much ac is worth this much hp" for my level or say lvl 30 - 40 in general?

There was also a really long and elaborate post about how the ac and softcap mechanics work, but im not sure if that was just live, or if it has changed since kunark, or even if the other thread i saw where someone tried to refute that is true.

Has the community come to a consensus on any of these issues? I wanna know how i should aim to buy for myself afterall!