Does hedge shroud affect the armor on figure upgrades?

Ie I have a support scion. If I tap hedge shroud does its armor change as well?

I believe so, according to RR 38.5:

"All defense modifiers applied to a unit also apply to figure upgrades equipped to that unit."

Because of the use of the words "defense modifiers," I immediately think of the dial, but since it says "All defense modifiers," I'm inclined to think that the effect from Hedge Shroud also applies to figure upgrades.

Probably needs FAQ. At worlds, Brooks ruled that it WOULD stack with modifiers (so 2 natural runes plus the defense modifier on their dial results in defense 3), but he VERY INFORMALLY said that it wouldn't affect the defense of figure upgrades, because he didn't want to punish their higher defense. Again, this is not a binding ruling, just his feeling at the time, so it needs official clarification.

That’s good to know. Definitely agree on the FAQ.

I think they'll change it to affecting figures, he ruled it that way for a 3/1 figure on a 2 green turn, I'm guessing just to keep things moving smoothly. It would make sense to adjust everything's defense in the unit.

Doesn't it just replace the units printed armor value? That wouldn't have any effect on the champion upgrade.

9 minutes ago, TallTonyB said:

Doesn't it just replace the units printed armor value? That wouldn't have any effect on the champion upgrade.

I did wonder if maybe that's the way itll get ruled, which I'd also be ok with.

My understanding:

"Defend
Defend is a modifier. When a unit performs an ability with a defend modifier, that unit’s defense value increases by the amount indicated in the defend icon. 23.1 The effects of the defend modifier take affect when the command tool is revealed, and the effect remains for the duration of the round.
23.2 If a unit has one or more figure upgrades, those figures also receive the benefits of the defend modifier."

"Defense:
A unit’s defense is the number printed inside the shield on both the upper-left corner of the unit card and the back plate of that unit’s command tool."

"All defense modifiers applied to a unit also apply to figure upgrades equipped to that unit."
So this changes the base armor of everything attached to the unit. If a Scion "Armour's up" it changes to 2D + natural.

However, Hedge Shroud changes the armor stat completely. As it is isn't a Defend modifier, it is instructing you to treat your defense as {Armor: Natural.}

Therefore, this applies to all figures within the unit and replaces whatever their armor stat was prior to exhausting Hedge Shroud. Does this hurt some Command Upgrades? Yes. Does this hurt Scions? Potentially. Does this mean you could potentially get your Warriors to Defense 4? Yes.