I've heard that when looking for gear, it is good practice to stack specific stats on certain items. For example, stacking vitality on shoulders, chest, pants. Likewise vitality isn't best suited on a weapon.

I'm looking for guidance or advice on this type of gearing theory. So, is it good practice to stack stats on specific items, or simply buy the best items I can one at a time and fill in stats where possible?

thanks all.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Skovgaard-1745/hero/31817526

The first thing that's worth knowing is the max stats in each gear category - this has changed a bit with the new crafting recipes, but it still has an impact regarding prices on the AH for items. For instance, shoulders can roll up to 300 strength, but only 200 Dex or 200 Int so, prior to 1.0.7 crafting, Barbs wanted 200+ strength Vile Wards.

The other rule of thumb is which important stats are possible in equipment pieces. Most people are aware of the basics, Gloves can roll IAS/CC/CD. You don't look to stack AR and vitality on gloves, necessarily, because the relative value of IAS/CC/CD on gloves is much higher than any basic stat. Some builds will value IAS/CC or CC/CD, but in general, you don't stack Vit on gloves, because Gloves are one of the few places you can get IAS/CC/CD.

Bracers and Helms get CC and it's really important to get that there which is why you don't hear people talk as much about stacking Vit/AR, etc on Helms and Bracers.

Movement speed comes from Boots and Legendaries. Lacuni Prowlers and Inna Pants come with a unique, fantastic IAS bonus, but they also come with a rare Movement Speed (and if you use both, you're freed up to wear Ice Climbers w/o movement speed). Blackthorne pants are popular, because they give you the unique LoH in that slot, but also a ton of life. That frees you up from needing LoH on a Ring/Weapon. freeing up a mod on your weapons and/or rings.

In terms of belts, shoulders, armor, they don't get IAS/CC/CD/MS/Life Steal/Life on Hit which are all really important. As such, they're fantastic sources for stacking Str/Vit/AR/Armor/Life %, etc. Getting IAS/CC/CD/AR/Vit gloves is prohibitively expensive. Getting IAS/CC/CD gloves and 200+ Vit Shoulders, is very affordable. That's why you'll see a lot of Vit shoulders rolled, particularly for Barbs. 300+ Vit on shoulders frees you up to wear "only" CC/CD IK gloves. Price out IAS/CC IK gloves to see what I mean.

There are exceptions to those rules, of course. Barbs are tied to mighty belts, for the most part, due to life steal. Witching Hour gives you a crapton of damage with their IAS/CD bonus. etc etc etc. Take a look at the Legendary armors to get a feel for where the exceptions are.

Gotta run. Hope that helps.

That's good info. I'd like to hear more thoughts on what people think about when deciding on what gear to use.

When taken as a whole, my barb gear seems to work, but looking at individual items I think I have some stats out of whack.

I suppose I'm looking to optimize my gear while maintaining a balance of survivability and DPS.

I never shy away from Int on gear.

I'm looking to kit out my barb at the moment and its just so much cheaper avoiding what everyone wants str/vit/AR. if you can get STR and either some vit or AR and get high Int which inherantly gives you AR. I can always bump up Vit with gems.

Basically what @ecocd said. I would get to know the max stats of each gear slot and what's possible versus what's not AND then get to know which legendaries can get unique stats (e.g. Lacunis for Attack speed AND movement speed). After understanding what's possible and what's not, you can start min maxing. A tip is to keep in mind how much of a stat you are gearing for.. For example, I want 6k armor and minimum 500 All resists so I gear with that in mind. Also keep in mind prices fluctuate and sometimes someone starts a trend (e.g. get pick up radius, PUR, on Zuni Boots) that causes the zuni boots with PUR prices to spike. So, if you want PUR on a lower budget, go with another slot to get PUR.

Best tip, which I actually use, is to check out top player gears (for your build, so if you are a skorn rend barb, check out a top barb with that gear set / build in mind), watch/read tutorials, etc.