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 F tier in our Slay the Spire 2 card rankings.

Across 809 recorded runs, decks running it win 17.3% of the time, trailing the 18.9% average by 1.6%. It’s a popular draft, appearing in 21.4% of eligible decks. Necrobinder players keep it in 97.3% of their runs, so it’s a familiar sight in those decks. On average it shows up 3.7 times in the decks that take it.

It performs best next to Mad Science — together they post a +35.0% swing in win rate. It also has strong chemistry with the relic History Course, which moves its win rate by +38.5%. At 1 energy, it’s upgraded in 6.4% 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 103 wins, 492 deaths, and 214 abandoned runs with it in the deck. The encounter that most often ends a run carrying it is Decimillipede Elite, which closes out 3.8% 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 Mad Science (+35.0%), Legion of Bone (+31.2%), and Squash (+27.4%).

Mad Science+35.0%22 runsLegion of Bone+31.2%10 runsSquash+27.4%15 runsGlimpse Beyond+26.9%13 runsAutomation+24.3%11 runsFasten+23.2%16 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 17.3% win rate across 809 runs.

The Necrobinderappears in 97.3% of its runs (809 tracked)

Best Relics for Defend

Defend pairs best with the relics History Course (+38.5%), Fragrant Mushroom (+35.0%), and Signet Ring (+34.0%), ranked by win-rate lift.

History Course+38.5%12 runsFragrant Mushroom+35.0%22 runsSignet Ring+34.0%7 runsSword of Jade+33.8%11 runsFunerary Mask+30.2%22 runsOddly Smooth Stone+29.8%60 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 6.4% 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 (3.8%), Bygone Effigy Elite (3.7%), and Phrog Parasite Elite (3.6%).

• Decimillipede Elite3.8% of runs
• Bygone Effigy Elite3.7% of runs
• Phrog Parasite Elite3.6% of runs
• Knowledge Demon Boss3.1% of runs
• Terror Eel Elite2.8% of runs

See Also

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