Defense on Resistance Sets (Advice needed)

Generally speaking, when building a resistance set, should I try to softcap S/L def or Melee def?

S/L. It covers more than melee does by a large margin, including many defense debuff attacks.

If you are able to do two, I would probably softcap melee and range. If three, definitely the positionals.

A lot of attacks in incarnate trials are pure energy. If you are able to get two defenses, go for S/L and E/N.

I found that my inspirations were rarely getting used on most of my characters. A strategy that has worked for me is aiming for 32.5% defense instead of going all the way to 45%. Most of the time you won't need it, but one small inspiration can put you at 45% if you have 32.5%. It leaves more room in the build for recharge so you can do better DPS.

Chances are on a set with no inherent defense your best bet is to jam in as much S/L. It covers a lot of attacks in the game. After that see what you can do for E/N.

Just remember, try to avoid gimping your build. 45% defense to everything isn't helpful if your not doing any damage and your attacks recharge slower than the second coming.

I agree with others. Smashing/Lethal, then Energy/Negative. If it's not practical to hit 45%, which it often isn't on a resistance set, 32.5% is a very good goal. It's not worth gimping your build to get higher unless you're dead set on no-inspiration survival challenges at the expense of normal play.

One thing to be aware of though, while E/N does come 2nd after S/L in usefulness, it's often fairly easy to cap S/L and Melee Def. Simply because of the fact that you have half value for the other on both of those. My SS/Fire Brute has 40% S/L and Melee defense, mostly thanks to Kinetic Combat and Obliterations.