In Diablo II: Resurrected (D2R), enhancing your character’s defense is crucial for survivability, especially in higher difficulty levels. By optimizing your armor choices and utilizing the right strategies, you can maximize your defense to withstand the toughest challenges in the game. Here’s a guide on how to do it:

1. Understand the Basics of Defense:

Defense in D2R mitigates the chance of an enemy successfully landing a Diablo 2 Runewords hit on your character. The higher your defense rating, the lower the likelihood of taking damage. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Each point of defense reduces an enemy’s chance to hit you by 1%. This means that higher defense significantly improves your character’s survivability.
• Different armor types have varying base defense values. Some are lighter and offer less defense, while others are heavier and provide more protection.

2. Choose the Right Armor Type:

Selecting the appropriate armor type is the first step in maximizing your defense. Armor types in D2R include:

• Light Armor: Light armor, like leather and quilted armor, is generally more flexible and allows for faster movement. However, it provides lower defense values.
• Medium Armor: Medium armor, like studded leather and hard leather, offers a balance between mobility and defense.
• Heavy Armor: Heavy armor, such as chain mail and plate mail, provides the highest defense values but can reduce your character’s movement speed.

Consider your character’s build and playstyle when choosing armor. A melee character might opt for heavier armor to withstand enemy attacks, while a caster might prioritize mobility with lighter armor.

3. Seek Armor with High Defense Ratings:

When searching for armor, prioritize items with high base defense values. The base defense of an armor piece can vary significantly, and you want to choose gear with the highest possible values for your level and strength requirements.

4. Socket Armor for Additional Defense:

Use the Horadric Cube to add sockets to your armor. You can then insert gems or runes with defense-boosting properties to further enhance your armor’s defensive capabilities.

• Diamonds and Perfect Diamonds are gems that increase defense when socketed into armor. Runes like Ort and Thul also provide defense bonuses.

5. Utilize Shield Options:

While not considered armor, shields significantly contribute to your character’s defense. Some shields offer substantial defense bonuses, and socketing them with defense-enhancing gems can make a notable difference in your overall protection.

6. Use Charms and Equipment:

Certain charms, equipment, and items can provide additional defense or enhance your character’s attributes, indirectly improving your defense. Look for items with +% Enhanced Defense properties, as well as +% Enhanced Defense charms.

7. Invest in Defense-Enhancing Skills:

Some character classes have skills that increase their defense. For example, the Paladin’s Defiance aura and the Barbarian’s Shout skill can boost your defense and those of your party members.

8. Maintain a Balance:

While it’s essential to maximize your defense, remember that you should also balance it with damage and resistances. Overloading on defense might leave your character lacking in damage output. Find the right equilibrium that suits your character’s playstyle and build.

By carefully selecting armor types, choosing high-defense gear, and leveraging sockets, shields, and equipment, you can significantly enhance your character’s defense in D2R. A well-protected character is better equipped to tackle the challenges of the world of Diablo II: Resurrected.