Defense

Defense is a combat skill that reduces the damage you take from enemy attacks. A higher Defense level makes you harder to hit and lets you equip better armor.

How Defense Works

Your Defense level affects:

• Evasion: Higher levels reduce the chance enemies will successfully hit you
• Armor Requirements: Better armor requires higher Defense levels

Gaining Experience

You gain Defense XP when enemies deal damage to you. The more damage you take, the more Defense XP you earn. However, training other combat skills typically gives XP in their respective skills rather than Defense.

Defensive Equipment

Armor provides bonuses that stack with your Defense level. Metal armor is forged through Smithing, while Bone armor comes from Liches and also requires Melee level 40. Most heavy armor lowers Archery while equipped.

Body Armor

Helmets

Leg Armor

Training Tips

1. Combine with combat training: Train Defense while fighting monsters
2. Wear the best armor you can: Better armor means more survivability
3. Fight appropriate enemies: Choose monsters that hit often but not too hard
4. Bring food: Stock up on cooked fish for longer training sessions

Combat Level

Defense improves survivability but does not directly set the displayed Combat Level, which follows your highest offensive combat skill.

Related Pages

• Health - Determines your maximum hit points
• Melee - Close-range offensive combat
• Archery - Ranged combat and lightweight armor
• Smithing - Craft defensive armor
• Food - Healing items for combat