Auto-Defense and Defense Skill obvious question.

“	Does the rank of Defense increase the effectiveness of Auto-Defense, or is it solely dependent upon your Shield Mastery?	„

Defense does not do anything to increase the effectiveness of Auto-Defense and is dependent on shield (and heavy armor) mastery.

“	I'm a Giant with a Lance and Shield so I can't actually use Defense at all and am thus wondering if I should put AP into it. I hit Rank 1 Shield Mastery a while back, but my actual Defense skill is sitting at a meager B as a leftover from when I used sword and shield. If it does influence the amount of Defense and Protection gained from triggering Auto-Defense it might be worthwhile to add that here.	„

I'd advise ranking defense to increase tanking ability. Auto-Defense will cut damage in half if you just pinged from the auto-defense or load defense. I have no idea what the update way back during enlightenment did, but I have noticed my damage when I ping is almost always half of what gets pinged, save a few exceptions. Defense and protection does not influence Auto-Defense.

Enlightenment just made melee auto defense half all damage when it triggered and was calculated after all other damage reductions. Magic and ranged auto defense don't have that half damage benefit.