Defender

Defender
In Other Languages
Chinese	重装
General Information
Role	Tanker Blocker
Operators	39
Branches	See Branches

Defender is one of the eight Operator classes in Arknights.

Overview

Defenders have high HP and DEF and can block up to three enemies, with few exceptions. However, they have (with certain exceptions) a low ATK and very short attack range – on the same tile as themselves. For this reason, Defenders are best placed in front of a formation to hold enemies back, draw enemy fire, and protect friendly units behind them.

Branches

Branch	Trait
Protector	Blocks 3 enemies Tank Operator, specializes in very high defense
Guardian	Can heal allies by using the skill Tank Operator with the ability to restore the HP of friendly units with their skills; lower bulk than Protectors
Juggernaut	Cannot be healed by allies Very strong tank Operator that also has high attack stats and cannot be actively healed but can improve their survivability with their skills/talent(s)
Arts Protector	Normal attacks deal Arts damage while the skill is active Tank Operator that uses Arts attacks during skill activations; has higher RES than other Defenders
Duelist	Only restores SP when blocking enemies Very strong single-block tank Operator with extremely high all around stats, but can only generate SP when blocking enemies
Fortress	When not blocking enemies, prioritizes dealing ranged AoE Physical damage Strong tank Operator that can use a ranged attack dealing area-of-effect/splash damage with large minimum range when not blocking enemies; fairly high attack stats
Sentinel Protector	Blocks 3 enemies and attacks from long range. Tank Operator with a ranged attack

Interactions

Operator	Subject	Interaction
	Military Fortress	Increases the ATK of Defenders while Horn is deployed. Elite 1: 10% Elite 2: 20% Potential 5: +3%
	Special Operation Strategy	Increases the DEF of Defenders while Hoshiguma is deployed. Elite 2: 6% PRO-X Stage 2: 9% PRO-X Stage 3: 11% Potential 5: +2%
	Tectonic Armor	Increases the maximum HP of Defenders when Nian is in the squad. Elite 1: 8% Elite 2: 16% PRO-Y Stage 2: 19% PRO-Y Stage 3: 21% Potential 5: +4%

Trivia

• Along with Sniper, Defender is the only class without a male 6★ Operator.
• While most Defenders except Duelist and Fortress Defenders can only attack enemies on the same tile as them, all 6★ Defenders excluding Saria have a range of the tile ahead of them like that of most melee Operators, regardless of their branch.