Defender (ディフェンダー, Difendā) is an ability introduced in Kingdom Hearts II. It increases the user's Defense when their HP is critical.

Mechanics

In Kingdom Hearts II, Defender is a support ability that costs 3 AP to equip. It increases the user's Defense by 3.

In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Defender is an equipment ability.

In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Defender is a stats ability that can be equipped one time. It increases the user's Defense by 4 when their HP falls below 26%.

In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Defender is a stats ability that can be equipped one time. It increases the user's Defense by 4 when their HP falls below 25%. The Defense stat shown in the menu remains unchanged.

In Kingdom Hearts III, Defender is a support ability that costs 3 AP to equip. It increases the user's Defense by 2 when at or below 25% HP. Stacking the ability increases the HP threshold at which the ability will activate, up to a maximum of 100%. Defender is also a Gummi Ability that costs 5 AP to equip. It reduces damage taken by the Gummi Ship by 75% when at or below 20% HP.

Learning Defender

Kingdom Hearts II

• Double-Keyblade Roxas has Defender as a default ability.
• Sora learns Defender at level 31 with the Dream Shield, 39 with the Dream Rod, and 59 with the Dream Sword.
• Goofy learns Defender after defeating Beast.
• Beast has Defender as a default ability.
• Jack Sparrow has Defender as a default ability.
• Simba has Defender as a default ability.
• Riku has Defender as a default ability.
• The Kingdom Key has Defender as its weapon ability.^{[KH II]}
• The Nobody Lance has Defender as its weapon ability.^{[KH II]}
• The Ogre Shield has Defender as its weapon ability.
• The Spell's Relic+ has Defender as its weapon ability.^{[KH II FM]}

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Weapons with Defender

Skill Gear+															1		1
Technical Gear															1		1		2
Technical Gear+															1		1		2
Duel Gear					1										1		1		2
Duel Gear+															1		1		2
Duel Gear++															1		1		2
Loaded Gear+		1	1		1										1		1
Chrono Gear		1	1	2	1										1		1		2
Chrono Gear+															1		1		2
Phantom Gear		1	1	2						1					1		1		2
Phantom Gear+			1	2						1					1		1		2
Phantom Gear++			1		1										1		1		2
Lift Gear			2					2	1						1		1		2
Lift Gear+			2					2			1				1		1		2
Nimble Gear			1			1		2			1				1		1		2
Nimble Gear+								2	1						1		1		2
Wild Gear									1				2	2	1		1		2
Wild Gear+									1				2	2	1		1		2
Ominous Gear									1			1	2	2	1		1		2
Ominous Gear+									1			1	2	2	1		1		2
Valor Gear				1		1	1	1					1	1	1		1
Valor Gear+	1			1		1				1					1		1
Fearless Gear				1		1	1	1					1	1	1		1		2
Fearless Gear+	1			1		1	1	1		1			1	1	1		1		2
Prestige Gear	1			1		1	1	1		1			1	1	1		1		2
Prestige Gear+				1		1	1	1					1	1	1		1		2
Crisis Gear													1	1	1		1		2
Crisis Gear+															1		1		2
Omega Gear															1		1		2
Omega Gear+															1		1		2
Hazard Gear															1		1		2
Hazard Gear+															1		1		2
Rage Gear															1		1		2
Rage Gear+		1													1		1		2
Champion Gear		1	1												1		1		2
Champion Gear+			1												1		1		2
Ultimate Gear															1		1		2
Ultimate Gear+		1													1		1		2
Pandora's Gear																1
Pandora's Gear+																1
Zero Gear								1					1	1			1
Casual Gear															1		1
Mystery Gear															1		1		2

Rings with Defender

• Protect Ring

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

• Defender can be attached to a type O or type P Command recipe through Command Melding, either randomly or by applying a Soothing Crystal.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Cera Terror Ability Link for 150 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Drak Quack Ability Link for 75 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Escarglow Ability Link for 150 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Kab Kannon Ability Link for 150 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Lord Kyroo Ability Link for 150 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Me Me Bunny Ability Link for 150 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Staggerceps Ability Link for 150 Link Points.
• Sora and Riku can purchase Defender from the Ursa Circus Ability Link for 150 Link Points.

Kingdom Hearts III

• Guardian Form has Defender as a form ability.
• Goofy has Defender as a default ability.
• Buzz has Defender as a default ability.
• Jack has Defender as a default ability.
• Baymax has Defender as a default ability.
• The Hero's Origin has Defender as its equipment ability.
• The Soldier's Earring has Defender as its equipment ability.
• The Fencer's Earring has Defender as its equipment ability.
• Defender is available as a Gummi Ability after reaching Gummi Level 44.

See also

• Striker

Notes and references

• Kingdom Hearts II abilities
• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days abilities
• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep abilities
• Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance abilities
• Kingdom Hearts III abilities