Defend•Skill

Is Defend good in Slay the Spire 2?

Defend is a basic Regent 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 166 recorded runs, decks running it win 11.2% of the time, trailing the 12.6% average by 1.4%. It’s a popular draft, appearing in 32.0% of eligible decks. Regent players keep it in 100.0% of their runs, so it’s a familiar sight in those decks. On average it shows up 3.9 times in the decks that take it.

It performs best next to Mad Science — together they post a +88.8% swing in win rate. It also has strong chemistry with the relic Fragrant Mushroom, which moves its win rate by +88.8%. At 1 energy, it’s upgraded in 4.0% 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 16 wins, 127 deaths, and 23 abandoned runs with it in the deck. The encounter that most often ends a run carrying it is Terror Eel Elite, which closes out 7.2% of its appearances. Read on for Defend’s complete synergy, class, and threat breakdown to decide whether it earns a slot in your Regent run.

Best Cards to Pair with Defend

Ranked by win-rate lift, Defend performs best alongside Mad Science (+88.8%), Mayhem (+63.8%), and Stratagem (+55.5%).

Mad Science+88.8%6 runsMayhem+63.8%4 runsStratagem+55.5%3 runsForegone Conclusion+48.8%5 runsBig Bang+47.1%12 runsCalamity+38.8%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 Regent, where it holds a 11.2% win rate across 166 runs.

The Regentappears in 100.0% of its runs (166 tracked)

Best Relics for Defend

Defend pairs best with the relics Fragrant Mushroom (+88.8%), Daughter of the Wind (+88.8%), and Ornamental Fan (+88.8%), ranked by win-rate lift.

Fragrant Mushroom+88.8%3 runsDaughter of the Wind+88.8%3 runsOrnamental Fan+88.8%3 runsBeating Remnant+55.5%3 runsDolly's Mirror+55.5%3 runsBowler Hat+55.5%3 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 4.0% 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 Terror Eel Elite (7.2%), Vantom Boss (7.2%), and Skulking Colony Elite (6.0%).

• Terror Eel Elite7.2% of runs
• Vantom Boss7.2% of runs
• Skulking Colony Elite6.0% of runs
• Waterfall Giant Boss4.8% of runs
• Ceremonial Beast Boss4.2% of runs

See Also

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