Read the kind of protection
Survivors translates equipment stats into its own combat model. A source Defense line is not a promise of Diablo II hit-chance behavior. Base armor implicitly supplies damage reduction, while unique source stats pass through conversion rules.
Resistance matters more in harder worlds
Normal has no difficulty resistance penalty, Nightmare applies −40 and Hell −100. Check the character sheet after entering a harder world. Chill, freeze and curses also last less time there.
Choose protection you can use
- Use Vitality and maximum life when individual hits leave little margin.
- Support sustained survival with life recovery and reliable damage coverage.
- Keep escape space before a scheduled ring or swarm.
- Compare actual character-sheet values when swapping gear; a familiar Diablo II tooltip can translate differently here.
Related: Attributes & life · Normal, Nightmare & Hell · Equipment & inventory