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Defense
- This article is about the stat. For the staff from New Mystery of the Emblem, see Defense Staff.

Defense (Japanese: 守備 defense), abbreviated Def, is a statistic belonging to units which determines a unit's ability to resist physical damage. It is used to reduce the hit point damage taken from incoming physical attacks fueled by the strength stat. When attacking physically—for example, with lances, swords, or bows—a unit's calculated attack has their target's defense subtracted from it to produce the damage they actually deal against this target, and vice versa. Defense can be temporarily enhanced by taking shelter in terrain types which give defense boosts, such as forests or forts, and can also be boosted through some support bonuses.
Some classes, most notably the various members of the Knight class family, are built to possess very high defense on average compared to other classes. As a general rule, units and classes with high defense tend to be slow, while it is common for units and classes with high skill and speed (such as the Myrmidon class family) or who wield magic to have poor defense. There is also a correlation between defense and hit points, where units and classes with high defense will also frequently have high HP.
A unit's defense stat will not protect them against magical attacks at all. When a unit is defending against an enemy who is using tomes or magic weapons, their resistance stat is used to reduce damage instead.
In Fire Emblem: Three Houses, defense is instead the main contributor for protection, abbreviated Prt, which reduces damage taken from physical attacks instead. Protection functions as the total of the unit's defense, as well as any bonuses from terrain, battalions, etc.
Contents
Calculations
Damage
In most games, the minimum damage that can be inflicted is 0, and critical hit factor is 3.
| Game | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Gaiden | (min{[attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)], 0} + triangle attack bonus) × critical hit factor | Minimum damage of 1, maximum damage of 60 on non-critical hits and 120 on criticals. Triangle attack bonus is 5 during a triangle attack or for attacks by Alm when adjacent to Celica, 0 otherwise. |
| Mystery of the Emblem | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Genealogy of the Holy War | (attacker's attack × critical hit factor) − (defender's defense* or resistance*) | Minimum damage of 1, except a Hel hit on a target with 1 HP. Critical hit factor of 2. |
| Thracia 776 | (attacker's attack × critical hit factor) − (defender's defense* or magic*) | Critical hit factor of 2. |
| The Binding Blade | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| The Blazing Blade | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| The Sacred Stones | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Path of Radiance | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Radiant Dawn | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Shadow Dragon | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| New Mystery of the Emblem | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Awakening | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Fates | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | -- |
| Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | [attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] × critical hit factor | Minimum damage of 1, maximum damage of 120. |
| Three Houses | [attacker's attack − (defender's protection* or resilience*)] × critical hit factor | Maximum damage of 999. |
| Engage | {[attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*)] ± direct damage modifiers} × critical hit factor | -- |
| Heroes | attacker's attack − (defender's defense* or resistance*) | -- |
Items and skills affecting defense
| Items providing a permanent increase | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Defense increase | Games | |
| Dracoshield | Permanent +3/+4/+2 increase when used. | All games except Gaiden, Genealogy of the Holy War, Thracia 776, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, and Three Houses | |
| Shield Ring | Permanent +2 increase when used. | Thracia 776 | |
| Naga's Tear | Permanent +2 increase when used. | Awakening | |
| Dragon Herbs | Permanent +1 increase when used. | Fates | |
| Ambrosia | Permanent +2/+1 increase when used. | Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, Three Houses | |
| Items and skills modifying the growth rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item/skill | Defense growth modification | Games | |
| Pisces Shard | +10% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Taurus Shard | +5% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Gemini Shard | +30%/+20% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Cancer Shard | +50% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Leo Shard | -10% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Virgo Shard | -10% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Capricorn Shard | +10% to growth rate when in inventory. Bonus not applied in Mystery of the Emblem due to a glitch. |
Mystery of the Emblem, Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | |
| Starsphere | +30% to growth rate when in inventory. | Mystery of the Emblem | |
| Heim Scroll | -10% to growth rate when in inventory. | Thracia 776 | |
| Baldr Scroll | +5% to growth rate when in inventory. | Thracia 776 | |
| Nál Scroll | +10% to growth rate when in inventory. | Thracia 776 | |
| Njörun Scroll | +5% to growth rate when in inventory. | Thracia 776 | |
| Dáinn Scroll | +30% to growth rate when in inventory. | Thracia 776 | |
| Afa's Drops | Permanent +5% to growth rate when used. | Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade | |
| Metis's Tome | Permanent +5% to growth rate when used. | The Sacred Stones | |
| Soldier Band | +5% to growth rate when equipped. | Path of Radiance | |
| Knight Band | +5% to growth rate when equipped. | Path of Radiance | |
| Wyvern Band | +5% to growth rate when equipped. | Path of Radiance | |
| Growth Drop | Permanent +10% to growth rate when used. | New Mystery of the Emblem | |
| Aptitude | +20%/+10% to all growth rates when active. | Awakening, Fates, Three Houses | |
| Items and skills providing a temporary boost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Defense increase | Games | |
| Ninis's Grace | +10 to one adjacent ally for one turn. Activated via the Dance or Play commands. | Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade | |
| Adamant | +1 to all allies for the duration of the map*. | Shadow Dragon, New Mystery of the Emblem | |
| Defense Bond | +2 for the duration of one mission when used. | New Mystery of the Emblem | |
| Defense Tonic | +2 for the duration of one mission when used. | New Mystery of the Emblem, Awakening, Fates, Engage | |
| Rainbow Tonic | +2 for the duration of one mission when used. | New Mystery of the Emblem, Fates | |
| Kris's Confect | +2 for the duration of one mission when used. | Awakening | |
| Tiki's Tear | +2 for the duration of one mission when used. | Awakening | |
| Defender | +1 when Pair Up is in effect. | Awakening, Fates | |
| Special Dance | +2 to one adjacent ally for one turn. Activated via the Dance command. | Awakening | |
| Rally Heart | +2 to all allied units in a 3-tile radius of the user for one turn. | Awakening | |
| Rally Defense | +4 to all allied units in a 3/2-tile radius of the user for one turn/to an adjacent allied unit for one turn. | Awakening, Fates, Three Houses | |
| Rally Spectrum | +4/+2 to all allied units in a 3/4-tile radius of the user for one turn. | Awakening, Fates | |
| Armored Blow | +10/+6 if unit initiates the combat. | Fates, Three Houses | |
| Defensetaker | +2 when defeating an enemy.* | Fates | |
| Staunch Shield | +4 for one turn when choosing to wait. | Three Houses | |
| Defiant Defense | +8 if HP ≤ 25%. | Three Houses | |
| Absolute Defense | +6 to all allied units within its area of effect for one turn. | Three Houses | |
| Weapons and skills providing a temporary decrease after use | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item/skill | Defense change | Games | |
| Bronze Dagger | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -2 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Iron Dagger | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Steel Dagger | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Silver Dagger | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Soldier's Knife | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Fruit Knife | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Hunter's Knife | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Kris Knife | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Quill Pen | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -1 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Stale Bread | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Raider Knife | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -2 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Votive Candle | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Sacrificial Knife | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Felicia's Plate | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Jakob's Tray | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Pebble | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Iago's Tome | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Brass Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -2 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Iron Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Steel Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Silver Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Spy's Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Dual Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Sting Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Barb Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Flame Shuriken | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Chakram | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -6 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Chopstick | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -1 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Hair Pin | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -2 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Caltrop | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -8 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Kaze's Needle | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Saizo's Star | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Kagero's Dart | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -3 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Setsuna's Yumi | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Enfeeble | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates | |
| Draconic Hex | If user survives, inflicts -4 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates, Engage | |
| Seal Defense | If user survives/If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -6 debuff on the target after combat. | Fates, Three Houses | |
| Mire Β | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Three Houses | |
| Blade Breaker | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -6 debuff on the target after combat. | Three Houses | |
| Shatter Slash | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Three Houses | |
| Break Shot | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Three Houses | |
| Dust | If user's attack hit the target, inflicts -5 debuff on the target after combat. | Three Houses | |
| Flame Breath, Brimstone Breath | Inflicts -5 debuff on targets on hit. | Three Houses | |
Flavor text
| Game | Text (English) |
Text (Japanese) |
|---|---|---|
| The Binding Blade (Unit stat) |
Defensive skill. Reduces
damage from weapons.* |
ユニットの守備力です
武器によるダメージを減らします |
| The Binding Blade (Detailed combat forecast) |
Unit's defense.*
|
ユニットの守備力です
敵の攻撃によるダメージを減らします |
| The Blazing Blade (Unit stat) |
Defensive skill. Reduces
damage from weapons. |
ユニットの守備力です
武器によるダメージを減らします |
| The Blazing Blade (Detailed combat forecast) |
Defense.
Decreases damage from attacks. |
ユニットの守備力です
敵の攻撃によるダメージを減らします |
| The Sacred Stones (Unit stat) |
Defensive skill. Reduces
damage from weapons. |
ユニットの守備力です
武器によるダメージを減らします |
| The Sacred Stones (Detailed combat forecast) |
Defense.
Decreases damage from attacks. |
ユニットの守備力です
敵の攻撃によるダメージを減らします |
| Path of Radiance | The unit's ability to defend against attacks.
This reduces damage taken from weapons. |
ユニットの守備力です
武器によるダメージを減らします |
| Radiant Dawn | The unit's ability to defend against
attacks. This reduces damage taken from weapons. |
ユニット自身の守備力
敵からの攻撃によるダメージを減らす |
| Awakening | Defense. Reduces damage
from physical attacks. |
守備 高いほど、敵の剣などの
物理攻撃のダメージを減らせる |
| Fates | Defense. Reduces damage
from physical attacks. |
守備 高いほど、敵の剣などの
物理攻撃のダメージを減らせる |
| Echoes: Shadows of Valentia | Defense. Reduces damage
from physical attacks. |
守備 高いほど、敵の剣などの
物理攻撃のダメージを減らせる |
| Three Houses (Defense) |
Reduces damage from physical attacks.
|
守備。高いほど、敵の剣などの
物理攻撃への耐性が高い。 |
| Three Houses (Protection) |
Reduces damage from physical attacks.
|
高いほど、敵の剣などの
物理攻撃のダメージを減らせる。 |
| Engage | Defense. Reduces damage
from physical attacks. |
守備力。高いほど敵の物理攻撃の
ダメージを小さくする |
Etymology and other languages
Defense
| Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
| English |
Defense |
-- |
| Japanese |
• 守備 |
• Defense. Used in Mystery of the Emblem and games from Thracia 776 onward. |
| Spanish |
Defensa |
Defense |
| French |
Défense |
Defense |
| German |
Verteidigung |
Defense |
| Italian |
Abilità di difesa |
Defense ability |
| Dutch |
Verdediging |
Defense |
| Korean |
수비 |
Defense |
| Simplified Chinese |
防守 |
Defense |
| Traditional Chinese |
防守 |
Defense |
Protection
This section has been marked as a stub. Please help improve the page by adding information.
| Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
| English |
• Protection |
• Used in Three Houses. |
| Japanese |
? |
|
| German |
Schutz |
Protection. Abbreviated to Schu. in certain menus. |