Armor Class

Armor Class in Diablo refers to protection that the player has due to defensive equipment. In Diablo III, defense is an attribute that lowers damage taken by a flat percent.

Bashiok had this to say about the defense attribute in Diablo III [1]:

Defense: Decreases all damage taken

- This stat is separate from armor and resistances, each of which effects different damage types. This stat effects ‘all’ damage. - This stat will allow players to control incoming damage rather than increasing health capacity, which is useful to reduce the need for health globes and pots, and allows players to double down on defense for survival focused builds. - This stat is also useful for PVP, and likely will be valued in the arenas, but isn't tuned to be a 'PVP' only stat.

- This stat has no secondary effects.

Visit the Armor Class page for more information about armor class in Diablo II.