This page covers strategies for fighting Defenders in Sandbox. These strategies also work against the Xeno Bosses in Area 2.
Arcarum Pages
Defenders
Defenders are a special enemy in Sandbox that spawns after clearing standard mobs. Their primary purpose is for dropping mats to host the Zone Bosses. In Zone Mundus, they also drop lusters which makes them a lot more valuable than the prior zone’s defenders.
Defenders typically have 100-110M HP in the first two areas with around ~130M HP in Zone Muindus. After the first clear each day, defenders get upgraded to a stronger form. For Zone 1, the defender+ variant has 1.6 times more HP. After 12 clears it upgrades again to a ++ variant. This one has 2.8 times the original HP. In Zones 2 and 3, they do not have the ++ variant. Instead their Defender+ upgrade starts at the 2.8 times HP boost. The upgrade level will reset at daily reset.
They are typically light on mechanics making them easy for most players. Early players may still need to play somewhat defensively especially on second clears during the day.
Setups
Feel free to replace a guidebook with Avarice’s Guidebook
Boosts Bounty Hunter lvl and EXP.
or bring Bounty Hunter III
Inflict 3 stacks of Bounty on a foe.
on MC in any of the below setups for increased drop rates.
Basic
The easiest classes to get started with are Lumberjack
and Relic Buster
. Both offer a solid degree of survivability with lumberjack offering a lot more. They also both support a wide variety of grids and character selections.
Manadiver
Manadiver
is general one of the best FA classes especially when emphasizing damage and fast clears. All elements can make great use of it especially in sandbox where skill supp books pushes its damage further.
Basic
Since manadiver is a great damage dealer and buffer, at lower levels other characters can be slotted with more of a defensive edge as needed without having low damage output.
Advanced
At higher levels, more focus is placed on slotting attackers with many grids sharing similarilties to burst setups. This is particurly helped a lot with a fully maxed Shockwave’s Guidebook
Greatly improves normal attacks.
to push out lots of damage.
Optimus
Below are Optimus variants of the above setups.
General
The following setups can be used against all defenders.
Eresh Dark
The 150 GM weapon Ereshkigal
not only maxes auto cap and amp, but it provides 3 turns of teamwide double strike via its CA. A 4th turn can also added on with splitting spirit.
Hrunting Earth
Hrunting
’s awakening skill for Glorybringer
provides one turn of assassin to MC. With the built in double strike from the weapon as well as Mastery’s Edge
Sabre- and katana-specialty allies gain Double Strike (1T).
(Consumes 15 Energized (icon)Energy.)
to provide double strike to Naru’s one turn assassin, defenders can be taken down very quickly.
Fire Manadiver
Alanaan FLB’s
swap in with skill 4 Days of Redemption
provides an incredible turn 1 burst support. Pair this with strong auto attackers and the free teamwide auto attack for a fast clear.
Wind Spartan
Spartan
is the main burst of wind thanks to both the strong teamwide buffs it provides as well the ability to wield falsehood opus for teamwide double strike. It works as great in FA to quickly boost the output of the various auto focused powerhouses in wind.
