1. how much do you feel that eaters contribute to your survivability?
Eaters sounds actually much better than they really are. PVP they are sure good.
From internet "
Eaters are charged over time provided you don't get damaged during that time. Damage Eater properties have a capacity to store up to 20 healing charges and convert charges every three seconds from the last time damage was received before they stop converting damage."
So they are a nice bonus. But in long fights (as boss fights and champion spawns) they help just a couple of first minutes.
As a general rule: These are more important than eaters (in PVM): Stamina, HPI, STR, DEX, INT, Mana, LMC, HCI, DCI, SSI, DI
2. how big a part do refinements play in your damage mitigation?
Refinements are indeed important. But you need to build your suit and character just right to get full benefits.
Some points (I explain more if needed)
* Hight refinement and "high as possible parry" is a good combination
* High bushido and high parry is a good combination (Look "Evansion" and "Confidence" spells at Bushido)
* If your build is parry and refinements based you can go as low as 20 with DCI. (DCI test comes before parry test, so "Evansion" and "Confidence" works better with low DCI and high parry). But do
not get DCI to go under 20 because you get only refinements benefits from 45 -> 20.
If you will do really high-end monsters. There is a lot "Not commonly known information"
You need even information about GM Bushido/tactics/anatomy benefits.
Also more information about "drain attacks" etc.
For example:
"Stamina drain" do lot more than just drops monster stamina in PVM... and people usually know only that stamina --> Swing speed part of story