Defend

Defend is a 1-cost basic Skill card included in every character's starting deck that gains 5 Block. Block absorbs incoming damage for the current turn, and Defend provides the most fundamental form of damage mitigation in the game. While its 5 Block is modest, Defend teaches the core defensive mechanic and provides a reliable baseline of protection in early encounters before better defensive options become available.

Defend is a universal card that synergizes differently depending on the character. For the Ironclad, Bash applies Vulnerable to enemies, reducing the amount of Block needed from Defend. For the Silent, Survivor and Neutralize provide complementary defense that works alongside Defend. For the Defect, Frost Orbs from Zap and Dualcast eventually replace Defend as the primary Block source. The relic Ornamental Fan rewards playing three attacks in a turn with Block, potentially replacing Defend's role entirely. Orichalcum provides free Block if you end a turn with none.

Defend is necessary in early Act 1 encounters against enemies like Cubex Construct and Corpse Slugs, but it quickly becomes a card you want to remove from your deck. Against bosses like Kaiser Crab and The Insatiable, 5 Block per Defend is insufficient, and stronger defensive cards or scaling mechanics are required. All characters should look to remove Defend copies at shops or rest site events as their deck acquires better defensive options, as too many Defends dilute your deck and slow your scaling.