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 4411 recorded runs, decks running it win 14.5% of the time, right in line with the typical deck. It’s a popular draft, appearing in 16.3% of eligible decks. Necrobinder players keep it in 95.3% 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 Mad Science — together they post a +45.9% swing in win rate. It also has strong chemistry with the relic History Course, which moves its win rate by +57.2%. At 1 energy, it’s upgraded in 6.8% 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 629 wins, 3704 deaths, and 78 abandoned runs with it in the deck. The encounter that most often ends a run carrying it is Decimillipede Elite, which closes out 4.1% 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.

When to Pick Up Defend

Defend is strongest when it joins the deck in Starting deck, where runs win 14.5% across 4406 runs — one of 1 recorded pickup windows.

Win rate of runs by the act Defend entered the deck. Acts that have not reached the sample floor show their run count only.

Best Cards to Pair with Defend

Ranked by win-rate lift, Defend performs best alongside Mad Science (+45.9%), Apotheosis (+37.9%), and Gold Axe (+29.9%).

Mad Science+45.9%159 runsApotheosis+37.9%29 runsGold Axe+29.9%36 runsWhistle+28.9%21 runsLegion of Bone+28.4%118 runsFolly+28.1%31 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 14.5% win rate across 4411 runs.

The Necrobinderappears in 95.3% of its runs (4411 tracked)

Best Relics for Defend

Defend pairs best with the relics History Course (+57.2%), Iron Club (+52.4%), and Sword of Jade (+44.5%), ranked by win-rate lift.

History Course+57.2%45 runsIron Club+52.4%34 runsSword of Jade+44.5%45 runsFragrant Mushroom+44.3%154 runsJeweled Mask+43.9%74 runsSai+40.9%45 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 6.8% 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 Decimillipede Elite (4.1%), Knowledge Demon Boss (3.7%), and Phrog Parasite Elite (3.3%).

• Decimillipede Elite4.1% of runs
• Knowledge Demon Boss3.7% of runs
• Phrog Parasite Elite3.3% of runs
• Infested Prisms Elite2.9% of runs
• Bygone Effigy Elite2.9% of runs

See Also

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