Source: Spazlord
1 defense rating grants 0.04% to each of dodge, parry, block and miss, so yes, if you lower your defense, you will lower each of these stats. |
That's 1 defense skill, not rating.
And this is exactly why it's not (and should not be referred to as) a defense cap. More defense is good. It gives you dodge, parry and be-missed chance, and for some classes block as well.
Defense is one of the better stats to stack, especially for paladins and warriors. It's pure avoidance strength is close to that of dodge rating, and it gives you block as an additional bonus.