you might have a def boosting skill//seal equipped or maybe you refined ecksachs for def
// either way, technically arden has the highest def at neutral but he has no access to IVs and cant boost it any higher so highest def would go to LAHector
Since Safeguard is a thing, you may as well go with Close Def since they both activate on Enemy Phase...and that's 64 Def before a merge and Fortify...which adds to a monstrous 71. lawd.
Perfer earth boost for player phase kills when needed and its good both physical close and distance engagements. Plus both Arden's have this setup, No way im merging him while i can troll arena def with both 🤣. And actually its 60 def before wards and such lol