Defend

Defend is the universal blocking card shared by all four characters, costing 1 Energy to gain 5 Block (8 when upgraded). Every starting deck contains four copies, giving you a reliable way to reduce incoming damage in the early game. While straightforward, Defend is the benchmark against which all defensive skills are measured: 5 Block per Energy with no strings attached.

As you progress through an Ironclad run, Defend becomes a card to phase out. More efficient options like Shrug It Off, Flame Barrier, or Impervious provide superior Block or additional utility. Keeping too many Defends clogs your deck with cards that offer no scaling, no synergy, and no surprises. That said, upgraded Defends at 8 Block are still respectable in the mid-game and are worth holding onto if your defensive options are thin.