ESO requirements question

[Rogal]

I am looking at my options for ESO and wanted to know if I was to choose one that had a defense of a PC requirement, is it based on the Defense or the adjusted defense amount?

[Atuan]

pretty sure all ESO and Status points count without special bonuses. IE they expect the raw number to be 35k and not with pieces you had nothing to do with in raising the value.

[Rogal]

I was not sure, for I thought it might be a bonus to make it easier for some races like Dwarfs to get their ESO.