Defense ( stat ) Defense , also called Defence , Def and DP , is a recurring statistic throughout the " Final Fantasy " series , and refers to the amount of damage taken from physical attacks . Defense is normally provided through armor , helmet , and glove equipment , though sometimes can be provided by weapons and accessories . It can sometimes be interchanged with Vitality . Appearances . " Final Fantasy II " . The sum of the character ' s and his / her equipment ' s defense power . The higher the value , the less damage sustained when attacked . " Final Fantasy IV " . The formula for Defense is : The formula for Defense Multiplier is : " Final Fantasy IV - Interlude - " . Defense returns in the sequel to " Final Fantasy IV " , and works the same way as it did in that game . Defense is calculated the same way as has its predecessors , meaning that defense is determined by the armor the character has equipped . " Final Fantasy VI " . Defense factors negatively into the ultimate total damage in the damage modification of the calculation at the end . The modification is ignored if the attack is defense - ignoring . The formula is : The + 1 at the end ensures that an attack never deals 0 damage , and can always only deal 1 . " Final Fantasy VII " . The formula for Defense ( damage reduction ) is : The formula for Defense % ( evasion ) : At 255 Defense , the player will take about half damage from physical attacks . " Final Fantasy VIII " . Vitality is the stat used for Defense in " Final Fantasy VIII " . " Final Fantasy IX " . Defense determines the units ' resistance to physical attacks . The Defend command allows the character to guard thus keeping their defense up . The Gamble Defense support ability makes the user ' s Defense stat fluctuate randomly when attacked between 0 and Defense x2 . " Final Fantasy X " . Defense can be increased by activating defense nodes on the Sphere Grid . Defense Spheres can be farmed on the Monster Arena to further boost Defense . Defense + ? ? % armor abilities do not increase the Defense stat , but directly reduce physical damage received . Just because an attack ' s damage is affected by the Defense stat does not make it a physical attack ; if the attack is not physical , Defense + ? ? % will not reduce it even if a higher Defense stat will . The defensive effect of Cheer works the opposite way ; if the attack is not reduced by Defense , Cheer will not reduce it , but it doesn ' t matter whether the attack is physical or not . " Final Fantasy X - 2 " . Certain accessories , such as Adamantite or Crystal Gloves , increase Defense statistics . Garment Grid s , such as Valiant Lustre , can also increase Defense to a substantial degree . The color for the Defense gauge in the menu is yellow . " Final Fantasy XII " . Heavy armor boosts Defense the most , while Light Armor gives some Defense , but also also raises HP . Shields don ' t raise Defense at all , and only add to Evasion . Other than equipment , leveling up is the only means of boosting a character ' s Defense stat . " Final Fantasy XIII " . Physical Wall nullifies a portion of the attacker ' s attack power ; such as having Physical Wall of 5 would take 5 points off the attacker ' s attack stat . Physical Wall can be added by equipping accessories . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Called " Physical defense , " this affects damage taken by physical attacks . Generally speaking , heavier armor has higher physical defense than light cloth armor . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . In " Final Fantasy Tactics " , the characters do not have a defense stat . Damage is calculated based on a formula for each attack . When armor is equipped , it increases the character ' s max HP , and possibly how often they evade attacks , but not a stat that reduces damage like a " defense " stat would . However , there are effects that increase a character ' s resistance to attacks and thus increase their " defense " . An example is the Protect spell , and damage can be greatly reduced based on the character ' s Zodiac Compatibility . " Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles " . " " . Defense , represented by the earth element , is one of Layle ' s five stats , which , like the other four , can be increased by equipping accessories . Defense determines how much damage Layle takes from enemies . " Final Fantasy Mystic Quest " . The higher the number , the less damage the character will take . All armor increase defense power . " Final Fantasy Adventure " . DP stands for Defense Power , this stat determines how Sumo endures magic and physical attacks . The higher the DP is , the lesser the HP loss . " The Final Fantasy Legend " . Defense is shorten to Def . The greater the number , the less damage the character will take . " Final Fantasy Legend II " . Defense is abbreviated to Def in the game , this stat impacts damage received by physical attacks . As with Str , this stat can be increased after a battle in which a human or mutant defends with a shield or uses other defense - related items such as the Defend , although this growth is very rare in humans . Def caps at 99 and can be raised higher through the equipment of armor . " Final Fantasy Legend III " . The Defence stat decreases the degree of damage inflicted by enemies . " Final Fantasy Explorers " . P - Defense : defense against physical elements . M - Defense : defense against magical elements .