Defence

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For a list of all requirements and unlockables within the Defence skill, see Defence/Level up table.
Defence
Defence icon.png
Released 4 January 2001 (Update)
Also called Def
Members No
Type Combat
Statistics
Players with
99 		273,628
as of 1 September 2023 - update
Players with
200M XP 		326
as of 27 September 2023 - update
Defence icon (detail).png

Defence is a skill that grants players protection in all forms of combat. The higher a target's Defence level, the less likely one is to land successful attacks (Melee or Ranged-based damage greater than zero, or Magic-based offensive spells that don't Splash) against said target. As such, it is a vital skill in high-level PvM and PvP situations. Defence does not decrease the amount of damage that an opponent can deal against you.

A player's Ranged level will not increase their ranged defence, but magical defence is different - it is based on 70% of the player's Magic level, while the remaining 30% is the player's Defence level, which is then followed by the player's magical defence bonus from their armour.

A player's Defence level also determines which equipment they are able to wear, as most pieces of armour or other equipment have a Defence level requirement.

Defence is one of the skills that will raise the combat level of a player regardless of other skill levels. For this reason, many combat pures level Defence to a certain level then stop training it to minimise their combat level, giving them an upper hand in Player-versus-Player combat against players around their level. Notable Defence levels are often tied to specific tiers of items or prayers that lead to advantages in combat. To see a complete list of viable optimised Defence level, check the Defence level caps.

Audio options icon.png
 Defence level up - normal
The music that plays when levelling up.
Audio options icon.png
 Defence level up - with unlocks
The music that plays when levelling up and unlocking new content.

Equipment[edit | edit source]

Almost every single piece of combat equipment (except for the ones that go on the weapon, cape, ring, and amulet slots) requires a certain Defence level to wear. Here are links to tables of armour and equipment that require a Defence level to wear:

  • Armour - For an overview on the different types of armour.
  • Melee armour - An overview of the different types of Melee armour.
  • Magic armour - An overview of the different types of Magic armour.
  • Ranged armour - An overview of the different types of Ranged armour.
  • Prayer armour - An overview of the different types of Prayer armour.
  • Defenders - A weapon that goes on the shield slot and provides offensive bonuses while also having an Attack and Defence levels requirement. The rune defender provides the same strength bonus as an obsidian shield, while only requiring 40 Defence as opposed to 60.

Temporary boosts[edit | edit source]

Main article: Temporary skill boost
Boost Level
increase 		Visibility Other info
Defence cape.png Defence cape 1 Visible Activating the cape's effect will increase the corresponding skill by 1.
Cabbage.png Draynor Manor Cabbage 1 or 2 Visible Hitpoints Hitpoints 1
Defence Defence floor(StaticLevel * 0.02) + 1
Available to free-to-play players.
Kebab.png Kebab 1-3 Visible 4% chance to do so. Available to free-to-play players. See kebab for details.
Poison chalice.png Poison chalice 1 or 4 Visible Has a variety of beneficial and disastrous effects. See poison chalice for details.
Spicy stew.png Spicy stew
(red spice) 		±0-5 Visible Hitpoints Hitpoints 11
Depending on type of stew, any skill except Hitpoints can be boosted or reduced by 0 to 5 levels randomly.
Excalibur.png Excalibur 8 Visible Uses up 100% Special attack energy.
Defence potion(4).png Defence potion 3-12 Visible Defence Defence floor(StaticLevel * 0.1) + 3
Defence mix(2).png Defence mix 3-12 Visible Hitpoints Hitpoints 6 per dose.
Defence Defence 3 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)

Requires Barbarian training.

Abidor Crank chathead.png Abidor Crank 3-12 Visible Defence Defence floor(StaticLevel * 0.1) + 3
Elder (-)(4).png Elder (-) 4-13 Visible Attack Attack 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Defence Defence 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Strength Strength 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Only usable within the Chambers of Xeric.
Overload (-)(4).png Overload (-) 4-13 Visible Acts as an elder (-), twisted (-), and kodai (-) potion in one dose.
Hitpoints Hitpoints - 50
Attack Attack 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Defence Defence 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Strength Strength 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Ranged Ranged 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Magic Magic 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
The boost is reapplied every 15 seconds for 5 minutes.
(This lost health is refunded after the overload ends).
Only usable within the Chambers of Xeric.
Elder potion (4).png Elder potion 5-17 Visible Attack Attack 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Strength Strength 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Only usable within the Chambers of Xeric.
Overload (4) (Chambers of Xeric).png Overload (Chambers of Xeric) 5-17 Visible Acts as an elder, twisted, and kodai potion in one dose.
Hitpoints Hitpoints - 50
Attack Attack 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Strength Strength 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Ranged Ranged 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
Magic Magic 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.13)
The boost is reapplied every 15 seconds for 5 minutes.
(This lost health is refunded after the overload ends).
Only usable within the Chambers of Xeric.
Sapphire glacialis (item).png Sapphire glacialis (item) 4-18 Visible Defence Defence 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Must be used on another player. Boost affects the player it is used on.
Acquired from the Hunter skill.
Bandages (Theatre of Blood).png Bandages (Theatre of Blood) 4-18 Visible Hitpoints Hitpoints 20
Attack Attack 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Defence Defence 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Strength Strength 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Ranged Ranged 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Magic Magic 4
Super defence(4).png Super defence 5-19 Visible Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Super def. mix(2).png Super def. mix 5-19 Visible Hitpoints Hitpoints 6 per dose.
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)

Requires Barbarian training.

Divine super defence potion(4).png Divine super defence potion 5-19 Visible Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Stat draining for Defence is disabled for 5 minutes, meaning the player's Defence level will stay fully boosted.
After the 5 minutes are over, Defence level will be restored to its base level.
Super combat potion(4).png Super combat potion 5-19 Visible Attack Attack 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Strength Strength 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Divine super combat potion(4).png Divine super combat potion 5-19 Visible Attack Attack 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Strength Strength 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Stat draining for melee combat stats is disabled for 5 minutes, meaning the player's melee combat stats will stay fully boosted.
After the 5 minutes are over, melee combat stats will be restored to their base level.
Bastion potion(4).png Bastion potion 5-19 Visible Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Ranged Ranged 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Acts as a ranging and super defence potion in one dose.
Divine bastion potion(4).png Divine bastion potion 5-19 Visible Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Ranged Ranged 4 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.1)
Stat draining for Ranged and Defence is disabled for 5 minutes, meaning the player's Ranged and Defence levels will stay fully boosted.
After the 5 minutes are over, Ranged and Defence levels will be restored to its base level.
Battlemage potion(4).png Battlemage potion 5-19 Visible Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Magic Magic 4
Acts as a magic and super defence potion in one dose.
Divine battlemage potion(4).png Divine battlemage potion 5-19 Visible Hitpoints Hitpoints - 10
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Magic Magic 4
Acts as a battlemage potion.
Passive stat draining for Magic and Defence is disabled for 5 minutes, meaning the player's Magic and Defence levels will stay fully boosted.
After the 5 minutes are over, Magic and Defence levels will be restored to its base level.
Overload (4).png Overload (Nightmare Zone) 5-19 Visible cts as a super combat, super ranging, and super magic potion in one dose.
Hitpoints Hitpoints - 50
Attack Attack 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Defence Defence 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Strength Strength 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Ranged Ranged 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Magic Magic 5 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
The boost is reapplied every 15 seconds for 5 minutes.
(This lost health is refunded after the overload ends).
Only usable within the Nightmare Zone.
Saradomin brew(4).png Saradomin brew 2-21 Visible Defence Defence 2 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.2)
Hitpoints Hitpoints 2 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.15)
Attack Attack - floor(CurrentLevel * 0.1) - 2
Strength Strength - floor(CurrentLevel * 0.1) - 2
Magic Magic - floor(CurrentLevel * 0.1) - 2
Ranged Ranged - floor(CurrentLevel * 0.1) - 2
Hitpoints can rise above base level with this boost.
Elder (+)(4).png Elder (+) 6-21 Visible Attack Attack 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Defence Defence 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Strength Strength 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Only usable within the Chambers of Xeric.
Overload (+)(4).png Overload (+) 6-21 Visible Acts as an elder (+), twisted (+), and kodai (+) potion in one dose.
Hitpoints Hitpoints - 50
Attack Attack 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Defence Defence 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Strength Strength 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Ranged Ranged 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Magic Magic 6 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
The boost is reapplied every 15 seconds for 5 minutes.
(This lost health is refunded after the overload ends).
Only usable within the Chambers of Xeric.
Smelling salts (2).png Smelling salts (2) 11-26 Visible Attack Attack 11 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Defence Defence 11 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Strength Strength 11 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Ranged Ranged 11 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Magic Magic 11 + floor(StaticLevel * 0.16)
Restores run energy by 25%.
The boost is reapplied every 15 seconds for 8 minutes.
Only usable within the Tombs of Amascut.

Quests[edit | edit source]

Quests requiring Defence[edit | edit source]

Quest Defence
requirement 		Other skill requirements
Rag and Bone Man II Defence 20 Slayer 40
Between a Rock... Defence 30 Mining 40 , Smithing 50
Lunar Diplomacy Defence 40 Crafting 61 , Firemaking 49 , Herblore 5 , Magic 65 , Mining 60 , Woodcutting 55
King's Ransom Defence 65 Magic 45

Quests rewarding Defence experience[edit | edit source]

Main article: Quest experience rewards
Quest Experience
reward 		Defence
requirement 		Other requirements
A Soul's Bane 500 - -
In Search of the Myreque 600 - Agility 25
In Aid of the Myreque 2,000 - Crafting 25 , Mining 15 , Magic 7
Nature Spirit 2,000 - Crafting 18 if crafting your own sickle
What Lies Below 2,000 - Runecraft 35
The Fremennik Trials 2,812 - Fletching 25 , Woodcutting 40 , Crafting 40 if crafting your own lyre
Heroes' Quest 3,075 - Quest points 55 , Cooking 53 , Fishing 53 , Herblore 25 , Mining 50
Between a Rock... 5,000 Defence 30 Mining 40 , Smithing 50
Olaf's Quest 12,000 - Firemaking 40 , Woodcutting 50
Holy Grail 15,300 - Attack 20
Dragon Slayer I 18,650 - Quest points 32
Camelot training room
(minigame)		 20,000 Defence 65 Magic 45
King's Ransom 33,000 Defence 65 Magic 45
Total 116,937

In addition, there is a chance that the Observatory Quest may award 875 Defence Defence experience.

Skill choice[edit | edit source]

Upon completing any of the following quests, players may choose to allocate experience to Defence. These rewards usually come in the form of items, such as lamps or books, and are independent of any experience rewards directly received for completing the quest.

QuestExperience
reward		Skills availableSkill requirements
X Marks the Spot300AnyNone
Client of Kourend500 twiceAnyNone
Fairytale II - Cure a Queen2,500Any skill above 30Farming 49 , Herblore 57
A Tail of Two Cats2,500 twiceAny skill above 30None
The Great Brain Robbery5,000Any skill above 30Crafting 16 , Construction 30 , Prayer 50
King's Ransom5,000Any skill above 50Defence 65
Darkness of Hallowvale2,000 three timesAny skill above 30Construction 5 , Mining 20 , Thieving 22 , Crafting 32 , Magic 33 , Strength 40
A Taste of Hope2,500 three timesAny skill above 35Crafting 48 , Herblore 40 , Attack 40 , Agility 45 , Slayer 38
A Kingdom Divided10,000Any skill above 40Agility 54 , Thieving 52 , Woodcutting 52 , Herblore 50 , Mining 42 ,
Crafting 38 , Magic 35
Architectural Alliance
(miniquest)		10,000Any skill above 40None
In Search of Knowledge
(miniquest)		10,000Any skill above 40None
Curse of the Empty Lord
(miniquest)		10,000Any skill above 50Some players will need Prayer 31
Shadow of the Storm10,000Attack Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints Crafting 30
Contact!7,000 twiceAttack Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints None
Dream Mentor15,000Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints Agility 32 , Combat level 85 , Crafting 61 , Defence 40 , Firemaking 49 ,
Herblore 5 , Magic 65 , Mining 60 , Woodcutting 55
The Fremennik Isles10,000 twiceAttack Strength Defence Hitpoints Construction 20 , Agility 40
A Night at the Theatre20,000 four timesAttack Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints Combat level 90 recommended
One Small Favour10,000 twiceAny skill above 30Agility 36 , Crafting 25 , Herblore 18 , Smithing 30
Recipe for Disaster
(The final battle)		20,000Any skill above 50Quest points 175 , Cooking 70 , Agility 48 , Mining 50 , Fishing 53 ,
Thieving 53 , Herblore 25 , Magic 59 , Smithing 40 , Firemaking 50 ,
Ranged 40 , Crafting 40 , Fletching 10 , Slayer 10 , Woodcutting 36
Legends' Quest30,000 four timesAttack Strength Defence Magic Hitpoints Prayer
Woodcutting Crafting Smithing Herblore Agility Thieving 		Quest points 107 , Agility 50 , Crafting 50 , Herblore 45 , Magic 56 , Mining 52 ,
Prayer 42 , Smithing 50 , Strength 50 , Thieving 50 , Woodcutting 50
Monkey Madness I35,000 & 20,000[sc 1]Attack Strength Defence Hitpoints None
Sins of the Father15,000 six timesAny skill above 60Woodcutting 62 , Fletching 60 , Crafting 56 , Agility 52 , Slayer 50 , Attack 50 , Magic 49
Dragon Slayer II25,000 four timesAttack Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints Quest points 200 , Magic 75 , Smithing 70 , Mining 68 , Crafting 62 ,
Agility 60 , Thieving 60 , Construction 50 , Hitpoints 50
Monkey Madness II50,000 twiceAttack Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints Slayer 69 , Crafting 70 , Hunter 60 , Agility 55 , Thieving 55 , Firemaking 60
Desert Treasure II - The Fallen Empire100,000 three timesAttack Strength Defence Magic Ranged Hitpoints Prayer Firemaking 75 , Magic 75 , Thieving 70 , Herblore 62 , Runecraft 60 , Construction 60
Total996,300
  1. ^ 35,000 experience is granted to the chosen pair of skills, and 20,000 is granted to the pair of skills not chosen.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

Changes[edit | edit source]

Date Changes
4 May 2017
(update)

The strength requirement of Granite has been specified in the Defence skillguide.

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