Defense

The Defense stat affects the amount of damage sustained from attacks and in turn determines how much damage is taken away from the character's HP bar. Choosing the Dream Shield in the opening events of the first and second game will increase the character's overall defense. Defense can be raised using the Defense Boost (or Defense Up) item or by equipping certain accessories in both Hearts'' titles.

Defense follows the same mechanics as Strength and are both primary factors of successive battle. So having high values in both areas can denote a good balance and also success in battles.