Curse remove level 14/15 (can't remember) works fine for me, but I don't war/pk anymore, only reason it's not higher.

240 defense rate doesn't make a difference in anything higher than aos1, imo.

I have Lower defense at 15 since I had the points go toward something else, still has -30 or -31 defense, which is fine for me.

But, whatever works best for you.