Defense is the total physical defense that is factored upon physical damage, which is generally based on ATK as whole or partially. However, there are exceptions.
The descriptions used here refer to Hard and Soft DEF. These names are used for clarity. The vast majority of players do not use these terms in general conversation, and instead refer Armor Def (hard) and VIT Def (soft). Hard DEF works as a relative reduction, whereas Soft DEF is a subtractive reduction.
To obtain the final damage,apply Hard DEF first and then apply soft DEF.
It is shown as A + B in the Status Window, where A represents the Soft DEF and B represents the Hard DEF.
Hard defense, also known as "armor" or "equipment" defense reduces, incoming physical damage multiplicatively.
Damage after Hard DEF = Damage × [(4000 + HardDEF) ÷ (4000 + HardDEF × 10)]
For example, a player with a Hard DEF of 275 will have incoming damage reduced by about ⅓, and a player with a Hard DEF of 500 will have incoming damage reduced by half.
Being hit by multiple monsters decreases Hard defense. It's unknown how it works, but being hit by about 23 monsters reduces hard defense to 0.
Hard defense has a base value of 0, and is increased by equipment, some skills, and items.
This section is incomplete. This section is still under construction. There may be more entries that have not been noted. See the Talk Page for more information.
Soft defense, also known as "VIT" defense, reduces incoming physical damage directly.
For example, if a player has 25% DEF Bypass from Expiatio buff, 30% DEF Bypass from Perverse Demon Mask[1], and Odin's Power Level 2 (-40 DEF) is casted on an enemy with 500 Hard DEF, the enemy's final DEF is calculated as:
Final DEF = (500 - 40) x (1 - (25+30) ÷ 100)
The skills and equipment below are known to either bypass DEF, or have a reversed effect, thus increasing damage from the amount it.
Skills
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If upgrade level is +7 or higher, bypass 25% of hard defense of all class monsters. If upgrade level is +9 or higher, bypass an additional 25% of hard defense of all class monsters.
Bypass 10% of hard defense of normal monsters, Boss monsters and players when performing a physical attack. If upgrade level is +7 or higher, bypass an additional 20% of hard defense of normal monsters, Boss monsters and players when performing a physical attack. If upgrade level is +8 or higher, bypass an additional 20% of hard defense of normal monsters, Boss monsters and players when performing a physical attack. If upgrade level is +9 or higher, bypass an additional 20% of hard defense of normal monsters, Boss monsters and players when performing a physical attack.
Ignore normal monster's defense when attacking. Disable its user's natural HP recovery and drain 666 HP every 10 seconds. Drain 999 HP as the weapon is unequipped.
In special conditions, such as for the Occult Impaction skill or item that grants its effect like Ice Pick or Memory of Thanatos Card, the DEF formula is altered. These skills and items ignore hard defense and soft defense, and also add additional attack depending on the target's hard defense (Target_Hard_DEF ÷ 2). Defense bypass gears in any other form outside of an Occult Impaction effect only bypass hard defense.
+14 Awakened Old King's Twin Blades [1]
+14 Demon Hunter Shoes [1]
Ice Pick
Ice Pick [1]
Memory of Thanatos Card