Defense Modifier

A defense modifier is a statistical value assigned to certain one-handed weapons. This value only affects users when they have equipped a shield with their one-handed weapon. The defense modifier adjusts the defense rating of the shield, instead of combining the defense value of the weapon and the shield.

On Necronia the defense modifier might also be affected by artifacts like Artifact of Repulsion.

Example
For example, if a character has equipped a Turtleshell Shield (Def:22) and a Steelspiked Glove (Def:17 + 2), then the character's actual defense is Def:24 (shield defense + weapon's defense modifier).

Additionally, if the weapoon would have an Artifact of Repulsion (+2 extra defense) inserted in the socket, the effective character's defense would be Def:26 (shield defense + weapon's defense modifier + artifact's modification on weapon).