Also since I've heard Illy's do better dps as melee what do you replace on gear with MA? Obviously you're still going to be casting spells too?
It depends on the player what you can and can't solo. I know illys that can solo things I can't even imagine on my illy, because they play very differently than I do. Anyway, as far as melee stats, I don't sacrifice casting stats to get there. I still make sure my cast speed and recast are max, my ability mod is appropriate (we can thankfully keep this much lower than a sorc or summoner), have some recovery, and then I reforge into melee stats. I usually dump spell weapon stats, as our gear is plentiful with it and it really is pointless with our melee abilities far outstripping the dps that spell weapons can give.