Complete List and Functions of MLBB Defense Items

Article Summary

A total of 26 defense items are divided into three tiers; choose according to function: increase HP, armor, magic resist, or passive like Guardian Helmet.
Suitable for roamers, tank, fighter sustain; use Athena Shield or Radiant Armor against magic, Blade Armor vs DPS physical.

Disclaimer: This summary was created using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Complete List and Functions of MLBB Defense Items

Unlike other categories, MLBB Defense Items are often not fully understood by players. Yes, the roamer population, especially tanks, is very small.

It's understandable that most Land of Dawn players still often wonder about the function of each item. So, if you're curious about the review, check it out!

Also read:

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Counter Gatotkaca MLBB: Heroes, Items, and Playing Strategies

The Best Items and Heroes to Counter Granger in MLBB

List and Functions of MLBB Defense Items

Now, let's get straight to the main discussion: the complete list of MLBB Defense Items and their functions. Please read the following details to better understand:

Recipe (Tier 1):

MLBB items — MLBB Tier 1 Defense Items. Source: Liquipedia

Healing Necklace (+4 HP Regen, 140G/84G): This item can provide healing capacity and is suitable for heroes who need frequent regen;
Hero's Ring (+150 HP, +5% skill cooldown reduction, 450G/270G): Can be purchased to reduce cooldown (CD) and increase HP as well;
Leather Jerkin (+14 Physical Defense, 220G/132G): Becomes the material for all items that can increase armor;
Magic Resist Cloak (+14 Magic Defense, 220G/132G): Becomes an ingredient in all items that can increase magic resistance;
Vitality Crystal (+230 HP, Buy 300G/Sell 180G): As the name suggests, all items that increase health will require this item as an ingredient.

Recipe (Tier 2):

Ares Belt (+600 HP, Purchase Price 700G/ Upgrade Price 400G/ Selling Price 420G): This is a tier 2 HP-boosting item that can be obtained by upgrading a Vitality Crystal;
Silence Robe (+540 HP, +23 Magic Defense, 1020G/500G/612G): This tier 2 item, the result of upgrading a Magic Resist Cloak, can provide a fairly decent amount of magic resistance – suitable for tanks who need magic defense in the early game;
Steel Legplates (+35 Physical Defense, 630G/410G/378G): An upgrade item from a single Leather Jerkin, suitable for those who need additional armor.

Passive Recipe (Tier 2):

Black Ice Shield (+20 Hybrid Defense, 780G/340G/468G | Passive: Fortress Shield)
You can get this item by purchasing Leather Jerkin and Magic Resist Cloak. Its passive ability provides additional defense for nearby enemy heroes, increasing your sustain during war.
Dreadnought Armor (+10 Hybrid Defense, 730G/290G/438G)
To obtain it, you'll need to purchase two Leather Jerkins. Its passive ability reduces damage, making it ideal for countering physical burst heroes in the early game.
Molten Essence (+540 HP, 800G/500G/480G | Passive: Burning Soul)
This item, enhanced by one Vitality Crystal, has a passive that deals magic damage to nearby targets. It's perfect for tanks/fighters who need to clear lanes quickly.

Tier 3:

1. Antique Cuirass

Attributes: +920 HP, +40 Physical Defense, +4 HP Regen
Price: 2170G/740G/1302G
Recipe: Dreadnought Armor + Ares Belt
Passive: Deter

“This "evolution" of Dreadnought Armor further enhances its damage reduction effect. You can purchase this if your enemy's early-game physical burst heroes are already snowballing.

2. Athena Shield

Attributes: +900 HP | +48 Magic Def | +2 HP Regen
Price: 2150G/830G/1290G
Recipe: Silence Robe + Vitality Crystal
Passive: Shield

A magic defense item suitable for countering heroes with magic burst capabilities. After being revamped, this item's passive instantly reduces incoming magic damage.

3. Blade Armor

Attributes: 80 Physical Defense, +20% Crit Damage Reduction
Price: (Buy) 1910G / (Upgrade) 840G / (Sell) 1146G
Recipe: 2x Leather Jerkin + Steel Legplates
Passive: Bladed Armor

Its passive effect reflects the attacker's basic attack damage while also slowing them. Simply put, this item is the best counter to physical damage-per-second (DPS) heroes.

4. Brute Force Breastplate

Attributes: +800 HP, +20 Physical Defense, +10% Cooldown Reduction
Price: 2070G/700G/1242G
Recipe: Ares Belt, Hero's Ring, Leather Jerkin
Passive: Brute Force

Forget all the other attributes of this item, because what users are looking for is its passive. When fully stacked, in addition to increasing damage and movement speed, this item also provides anti-crowd control.

5. Chastity Pauldron

Attributes: +900 HP, +40 Physical Defense
Price: 2100G/770G/1260G
Recipe: Steel Legplates + Ares Belt
Passive: (1) Chastise, (2) Redemption

Moonton's newest defense item, replacing Twilight Armor. Its most important passive is reducing the attack speed of enemy heroes—a transfer of the passive from Dominance Ice.

6. Cursed Helmet

Attributes: +1200 HP, +20 Magic Defense
Price: 1910G/190G/1146G
Recipe: Molten Essence + Ares Belt + Magic Resist Cloak
Passive: (1) Burning Soul (a stronger version of Molten Essence), (2) Curse

The "finished" version of Molten Essence. Besides making Burning Soul stronger, Curse also reduces the opponent's Hybrid Defense. So, this item is perfect for countering Thunder Belt.

7. Dominance Ice

Attributes: +40 Hybrid Defense, +5% Movement Speed
Price: 2010G/790G/1206G
Recipe: Black Ice Shield + Leather Jerkin + Magic Resist Cloak
Passive: (1) Fortress Shield (a stronger version of the Black Ice Shield); (2) Lifebane

The "perfect" form of Black Ice Shield and its passive strength. Furthermore, Lifebane is perfect for countering heavy heals/shields—especially when combined with Oracle + Guardian Helmet.

8. Fleeting Time

Attributes: +30 Adaptive Attack, +600 HP, +15% Cooldown Reduction
Price: 2050G/650G/1230G
Recipe: 2x Hero's Ring + Expert Glove
Passive: Timestream

After receiving a revamp, this "people's favorite" item has entered all categories. All users are looking for is its passive, which reduces Ultimate CD from every kill/assist.

9. Guardian Helmet

Attributes: +1800 HP, +20 HP Regen
Price: 2500G/400G/1500G
Recipe: 3x Ares Belt
Passive: (1) Recovery, (2) Defender

The best item for countering physical burst and true damage in the current meta. Besides increasing HP, this item also provides instant regeneration based on incoming burst damage.

10. Immortality

Attributes: +850 HP, +15 Physical Defense
Price: 2120G/900G/1272G
Recipe: Ares Belt, Vitality Crystal, Leather Jerkin
Passive: Immortal

Just like Brute Force Breastplate, this item's passive is also a major selling point. Essentially, in the late game, it's a must-have to give you extra health and prevent you from being easily picked off.

11. Oracle

Attributes: +850 HP, +20 Hybrid Defense, +10% Cooldown Reduction
Price: 1860G/660G/1116G
Recipe: 2x Hero's Ring + Vitality Crystal
Passive: Bless

The best combo item for the Guardian Helmet. Besides providing extra health, its passive ability, which increases regeneration and/or shield effects, can make your hero even tankier!

12. Queen's Wing

Attributes: 80 Physical Defense, +20% Crit Damage Reduction
Price: 2250G/600G/1350G
Recipe: Ares Belt + Hero's Ring + Expert Gloves
Passive: (1) Demonize, (2) Defience

A must-have item for fighters who love to fight! Its passive is complete: it reduces enemy CD and damage, while increasing the user's damage based on lost HP.

13. Radiant Armor

Attributes: +950 HP | +40 Magic Def | +12 HP Regen
Price: 1880G/500G/1128G
Recipe: Silence Robe + Magic Resist Cloak + Healing Necklace
Passive: Holy Blessing

Unlike Athena Shield, this item is suitable for countering heroes with magic DPS capabilities. Its passive will stack if the user is hit by continuous magic damage.

14. Thunder Belt

Attributes: +600 HP, +15 Hybrid Defense, +20 Movement Speed
Price: 1820G/680G/1092G
Recipe: Ares Belt + Leather Jerkin + Magic Resist Cloak
Passive: Thunderbolt

Besides dealing true damage and slowing, every passive (strengthened basic attack) that hits an enemy hero will permanently increase your defense stack – perfect for late game!

Etc:

Rock Potion (1500G)

A defense item that doesn't require a slot and is also the least frequently purchased by players. Its passive only provides an additional 500 HP and 5% damage reduction, and it's not permanent.

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So, that concludes our complete and detailed discussion of MLBB Defense items. If you found this article helpful, please share it on social media and with your friends!

FAQs

1. How many MLBB items are in the defense category?

If you take Rock Potion into account, there are a total of 26 Defense items divided into three tiers.

2. Who is usually suitable to buy Defense items?

The most suitable ones to buy it are junglers/roam tanks and also sustain fighters who act as the “body” of the team.

3. Do heroes other than those above also have to use Defense items?

Not all heroes are mandatory, but almost all roles still require at least one MLBB defense item to survive in the late game (for example Immortal).

4. What is the best defense item that can be used specifically against heroes with magic capacity?

Athena's Shield and Radiant Armor are typically the best defensive items for dealing with heroes with magic abilities. You can use both of these items to block DPS and burst damage.

5. What is the best defense item that can be used specifically against heroes with physical capacity?

To counter early bursts, Dreadnought Armor is usually sufficient. However, if you've already entered late bursts, you can upgrade it to Antique Cuirass. For a more complete set, you can also strengthen yourself with a Guardian Helmet. Meanwhile, against DPS heroes, Blade Armor is the most appropriate item to counter them.

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