Magic Defense (MDF, also shown as M. Defense) reduces damage in magical attack formulas. It is separate from Magical Damage Rate and elemental resistance. Increasing Magic Defense does not reduce all incoming magical damage by the same percentage.
For player targets, the custom formula weights the clean Magic Defense up to character level by 0.75 and the excess by 1.25. A build emphasizing Magic Defense over Defense can also receive a specialization bonus. Percentage defense modifiers are curved separately. 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 Magic 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 (M. Def)
|
+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. |
| Pain Altar | −2 or −4 | Separate one-time sacrifice offers; accepting both loses 6 Magic 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 | Ritualist's Shield +5; Tower Shield +5; Liquimetal Shield +8
|
| +4 | Stone Shield +2; Magic Jack o' Lantern +4
|
| +3 | Shield of the Dead God +3; Royal Shield +4; Lamp of Light +5; Painted Buckler +5; Platinum Star +5; Bone Shield +8
|
| +2 | Rusty Shackle +2; Royal Bulwark +8
|
| -2 | Cat Stuffy +5; Jeweled Chalice +5
|
| -4 | Cursed Crucifix +5; Steel-Knuckled Glove +5
|
Flat modifiers
Percentage modifiers
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +10% total Magic Defense | Illusory Cloak +15
|
Flat modifiers
Flat and percentage modifiers
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +4; +5% total Magic Defense | Jester's Boots +3
|
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +6 | Pendant of the Lost +5
|
| +5 | Basic Necklace +5
|
| +4 | Bone Necklace of Blood +4
|
| +3 | Cat's Eye Necklace +3; Necklace of the Dark Sea +3; Coldheart Pendant +10
|
| +2 | Brutal Necklace +1; Esoteric Medallion +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 Magic Defense | Crystal Skull +10
|
These entries are kept separate from obtainable equipment.
| Modifier ↓ | Equipment · level ↑ |
|---|---|
| +6 | Ritual Spear +5 — No confirmed acquisition method |
| -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 ↑ |
|---|---|
| +1 | Old Beanie — 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 | Golden Tooth +5 — Not obtainable through its current reward route
|
| -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 Soul Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 10–15 | — |
| Viscera Gem
|
+2 points | All armor slots | 10–15 | Applies to armor, despite the item description listing weapons. |
| Faithful Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 0–10 | Grants Max MP, despite the item description listing Luck. |
| Greater Soul Gem
|
+1 points | Head, Top, Bottom, Feet | 0–10 | — |
| Lesser Soul 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 Skepticism
|
Applies Skepticism if absent; maximum one stack. | Persistent blessing |
| Greater Potion of Skepticism Fickle Potion of Skepticism
|
Adds one Skepticism stack, up to five. The Fickle Potion also has a 50% chance of a random curse. | Persistent blessing / possible curse |
| Restore Potion of Hex
|
Removes Hex and its stacks, reversing that penalty. | Curse removal |
| Expert Researcher'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 Skepticism. Spoiled Rations, Blood of the Gods and the adverse effects of Fickle Potions can select Hex. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skepticism | +10% to 50% | Persistent, up to five stacks. Removed by Bathing and effects that clear the blessing. |
| Hex | −10% to 50% | Persistent, up to five stacks. Removed by Bathing or the matching Restore Potion. |
| Battle Skepticism / Hex | ×1.20 / ×0.80 | Separate battle states; three-turn duration, also removed at battle end. |
| Greater battle Skepticism / Hex | ×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. |
| Kaal's Favor | ×1.1 (+10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |
| Daeus's Favor | ×0.9 (-10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |
| Nezroth's Favor | ×0.9 (-10%) | Active while the corresponding god’s favour is held. |