Defense (DEF) reduces damage in physical attack formulas. More Defense generally means less physical damage received, but a 10% Defense increase does not mean a flat 10% reduction in final damage. Physical Damage Rate is a separate multiplier.
For player targets, the custom formula weights the clean Defense up to character level by 0.75 and the excess by 1.25. A build emphasizing Defense over Magic Defense can also receive a specialization bonus. Percentage Defense modifiers are curved separately; they are not a direct damage-reduction percentage. See effective defense.
These changes remain after equipment is removed and temporary effects expire. Healing foods restore current HP or MP and are not listed as permanent growth.
| Character level | Unmodified Defense |
|---|---|
| 1 | 5 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 20 | 14 |
| 30 | 19 |
| 40 | 23 |
| 50 | 28 |
| 99 | 50 |
The displayed stat is the rounded result of base value plus permanent and equipment additions, multiplied by the applicable percentage effects. The character stat cap is 999.
| Source | Base-stat change | Details |
|---|---|---|
 Flask of the Gods (Defense)
|
+1 | Each use permanently raises the unmodified stat. Equipment and percentage modifiers are applied afterward. |
| Ancient book reward | +1 | A blessed book found among dungeon clutter can grant one of HP, MP, Attack, Defense, Magic Attack or Magic Defense. The six outcomes are equally likely after the stat-reward result is selected; both types of book share the same five-award counter. |
| Full-moon sleep reward | +1 | The reward randomly chooses one of the eight core stats. Available below level 30, subject to the sleep event’s reward limit. |
| Stat-loss sleep event | −1 | On the difficulty settings that permit permanent stat loss, one of the eight stats is chosen at random. |
| Mall tree | −1 | One-time low-roll penalty. |
| Old well | −1 | One-time penalty on its low outcome. |
| Pain Altar | −2 or −4 | Separate one-time sacrifice offers; accepting both loses 6 Defense. |
Only equipment that directly changes this stat or rate is listed here. Values are the item’s normal values at its named item level, before additional forge upgrades. Flat bonuses add; percentage core-stat and special-rate traits multiply. Hit, Critical, Counter and Reflect bonuses add percentage points. Click an item for its other effects and acquisition methods.
Within each slot, matching modifiers are grouped from highest to lowest. Equipment within each group is ordered by the +level in its name, lowest to highest; items without a +level come first. Flat and percentage modifiers are listed separately.
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +5 | Ancient Tablet +2; Tower Shield +5; Royal Bulwark +8
|
| +4 | Stone Shield +2; Steel-Knuckled Glove +5
|
| +3 | Shield of the Dead God +3; Royal Shield +4; Painted Buckler +5; Platinum Star +5; Bone Shield +8
|
| +2 | Rusty Shackle +2; Magic Jack o' Lantern +4
|
| +1 | Lamp of Light +5
|
| -2 | Cat Stuffy +5; Jeweled Chalice +5
|
| -4 | Cursed Crucifix +5
|
Flat modifiers
Percentage modifiers
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +10% total Defense | Illusory Cloak +15
|
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +6 | Pendant of the Lost +5
|
| +5 | Basic Necklace +5
|
| +4 | Bone Necklace of Blood +4
|
| +3 | Coldheart Pendant +10
|
| +2 | Brutal Necklace +1; Emerald Necklace +2; Gold Necklace +2
|
| +1 | Crude Necklace; Star Necklace +1; Necklace of Fortune +2; Chain of the Dead God +3
|
| -2 | Blood Gem +5
|
| -10 | Soultrap Necklace +10
|
Flat modifiers
Percentage modifiers
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +10% total Defense | Crystal Skull +10
|
These entries are kept separate from obtainable equipment.
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| -2 | Spear of Daeus +5 — Not obtainable through its current reward route
|
| -10 | Blade of the Hopeless +10 — No confirmed acquisition method |
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +2 | Old Beanie — No confirmed acquisition method |
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +2 | Brutal Medallion +1 — No confirmed acquisition method |
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +5 | Polished Stone Ring +3 — No confirmed acquisition method |
| +2 | Crude Stone Ring +1 — No confirmed acquisition method |
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| -2 | Bone Coin of Death — No confirmed acquisition method |
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| -2 | Soul Lamp +5 — No confirmed acquisition method |
These change the equipment permanently, including eligible items that start with no bonus to this stat. The benefit applies while the item is equipped. The level range is checked before the upgrade. Clear Gem removes the most recent upgrade and its changes.
| Gem | Change per upgrade | Eligible equipment | Current item level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Armor Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 10–15 | — |
| Flesh Gem
|
+2 points | All armor slots | 10–15 | — |
| Fortress Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 0–10 | — |
| Greater Armor Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 0–10 | — |
| Lesser Armor Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 0–5 | — |
Only the stat effect is shown; ordinary HP/MP restoration has been omitted. Reapplying the same one-stack food or cookie state does not add another copy of its percentage bonus.
| Item | Relevant effect | Duration / limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Blessing Potion of Stubbornness
|
Applies Stubbornness if absent; maximum one stack. | Persistent blessing |
| Greater Potion of Stubbornness Fickle Potion of Stubbornness
|
Adds one Stubbornness stack, up to five. The Fickle Potion also has a 50% chance of a random curse. | Persistent blessing / possible curse |
| Restore Potion of Weakness
|
Removes Weakness and its stacks, reversing that penalty. | Curse removal |
| Sushi
|
×1.1 (+10%) | Persistent blessing; not a permanent base-stat gain |
| Expert Adventurer's Meal
|
×1.1 (+10%) | Until midnight |
| Obsidian Egg
|
×1.1 (+10%) | Persistent blessing; not a permanent base-stat gain |
Random common blessings from Lesser Holy Water, Greater Holy Water, Blood of the Gods, Aged Rum, Soul Stew can also select Stubbornness. Spoiled Rations, Blood of the Gods and the adverse effects of Fickle Potions can select Weakness. God Shrines, Mysteries and Sleep Events can likewise award random common blessings or curses. These change the active modifier, not the permanent base stat.
Lemonade also rolls for random common effects: a 6 grants two blessings, a 5 grants one blessing, and a 3 or 4 grants one curse.
| Effect | Modifier | Source / duration |
|---|---|---|
| Stubbornness | +10% to 50% | Persistent, up to five stacks. Removed by Bathing and effects that clear the blessing. |
| Weakness | −10% to 50% | Persistent, up to five stacks. Removed by Bathing or the matching Restore Potion. |
| Battle Stubbornness / Weakness | ×1.20 / ×0.80 | Separate battle states; three-turn duration, also removed at battle end. |
| Greater battle Stubbornness / Weakness | ×1.40 / ×0.60 | Separate greater battle states; three-turn duration, also removed at battle end. |
| Tax Boon | ×1.1 (+10%) | Tax reward; see The Tax Man. |
| Gatis's Favor | ×0.9 (-10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |
| Kaal's Favor | ×1.1 (+10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |
| Daeus's Favor | ×1.1 (+10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |
| Nezroth's Favor | ×1.1 (+10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |