Defend•Skill

Is Defend good in Slay the Spire 2?

Defend is a basic Necrobinder skill in Slay the Spire 2. In combat it resolves as: Gain 5 Block. It currently underperforms most alternatives, sitting at D tier in our Slay the Spire 2 card rankings.

Across 169 recorded runs, decks running it win 12.8% of the time, right in line with the typical deck. It’s a popular draft, appearing in 32.6% of eligible decks. Necrobinder players keep it in 98.3% of their runs, so it’s a familiar sight in those decks. On average it shows up 3.8 times in the decks that take it.

It performs best next to Mayhem — together they post a +53.9% swing in win rate. It also has strong chemistry with the relic Venerable Tea Set???, which moves its win rate by +87.2%. At 1 energy, it’s upgraded in 7.5% of runs and usually joins the deck around floor 1.

Upgraded, it gains +3 Block, which is why so many decks invest a rest-site upgrade in it. That’s 17 wins, 116 deaths, and 36 abandoned runs with it in the deck. The encounter that most often ends a run carrying it is Phrog Parasite Elite, which closes out 7.1% of its appearances. Read on for Defend’s complete synergy, class, and threat breakdown to decide whether it earns a slot in your Necrobinder run.

Best Cards to Pair with Defend

Ranked by win-rate lift, Defend performs best alongside Mayhem (+53.9%), Transfigure (+53.9%), and Dramatic Entrance (+53.9%).

Mayhem+53.9%3 runsTransfigure+53.9%4 runsDramatic Entrance+53.9%3 runsProtector+53.9%3 runsHang+47.2%8 runsDebt+37.2%4 runs

Based on small co-occurring samples — treat these as early signals, not final verdicts.

Defend Win Rate by Class

Defend is drafted only by the Necrobinder, where it holds a 12.8% win rate across 169 runs.

The Necrobinderappears in 98.3% of its runs (169 tracked)

Best Relics for Defend

Defend pairs best with the relics Venerable Tea Set??? (+87.2%), Unceasing Top (+87.2%), and Fragrant Mushroom (+87.2%), ranked by win-rate lift.

Venerable Tea Set???+87.2%3 runsUnceasing Top+87.2%4 runsFragrant Mushroom+87.2%4 runsPocketwatch+62.2%4 runsTiny Mailbox+62.2%4 runsHistory Course+62.2%4 runs

Based on small co-occurring samples — treat these as early signals, not final verdicts.

Defend Card Details

Defend is a basic skill costing 1 energy; it’s upgraded in 7.5% of runs and usually picked up by floor 1.

Gain 5 Block.

Upgrade: +3 Block

What Ends Runs with Defend

Defend’s most common run-enders are Phrog Parasite Elite (7.1%), Bygone Effigy Elite (5.9%), and Terror Eel Elite (5.3%).

• Phrog Parasite Elite7.1% of runs
• Bygone Effigy Elite5.9% of runs
• Terror Eel Elite5.3% of runs
• Phantasmal Gardeners Elite4.1% of runs
• Infested Prisms Elite3.6% of runs

See Also

Compare Defend with the rest of the best Slay the Spire 2 cards, relics, and classes below.