Three numbers, not one
Defense is the raw value used in the damage formula. Resistance is a flat percentage taken off all damage, no matter the type. Class adds a flat 0/20/30% (Light/Medium/Heavy) on top of Resistance. So a Heavy set with solid Resistance shrugs off more than a Light set with a bigger Defense number — and a resisted hit barely registers.
Full sets beat mixing
A full set triggers its set bonus. Mixing pieces keeps a small stat but drops the bonus, which is usually the bigger loss. Keep two or three full sets and swap per zone.
Armor sets by tier
| Tier | Set | Resistance (chest / head-leg) | Set bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acorn (Heavy) | ~15% / ~7.5% | Hardy Defense |
| 1 | Red Ant | ~5% / ~2.5% | HumAnt |
| 2 | Bee | ~5% / ~2.5% | Pollen Shot (ranged pollen bolt) |
| 2 | Black Ant | ~10% / ~5% | Pincushion (crit on stabs) |
| 2 | Ladybug (Heavy) | ~15% / ~7.5% | Scarlet Embrace (heal on hit) |
| 2 | Spider | ~10% / ~5% | Hunter’s Prowess (stealth/recon) |
| 2 | Koi | ~5% / ~2.5% | Dazzling Riposte (parry counter) |
| 3 | Fire Ant | ~10% / ~5% | Acidic Splash (acid ignores defense) |
| 3 | Assassin / MANT | ~5% / ~2.5% | Critical Chain |
| 3 | Roly Poly (Heavy) | high | Taunting Gaze (tank) |
| 3 | Widow (Light) | ~5% / ~2.5% | Death’s Impetus (kill grants attack speed + heal) |
| 3 | Wasp (Light) | ~5% / ~2.5% | Air Superiority (+stun vs flying) |
| 3 | Mother Demon (Heavy) | ~15% / ~7.5% | Poison Nova — made from Hedge Broodmother parts |
| 3 | Moldy Matriarch (Heavy) | ~15% / ~7.5% | Cluster Bomb — made from Infected Broodmother parts |
Match the set to the boss
- Hedge Broodmother → Mother Demon or Ladybug (Heavy + poison).
- Infected Broodmother → Roly Poly (taunt tank) or Koi (parry counter); bring heavy healing (Beefy/Sticky).
- Director Schmector → Roly Poly Heavy; note poison, gas and bleed do nothing to him.
- Orchid Mantis → Roly Poly plus a Salty weapon; perfect-parry every attack.
- Assistant Manager → Black Ant (resists his shock) with a Busting weapon.
- Wasp Queen → Widow or Wasp (poison / air); Waspidote to resist her poison.