Dude, I don't know what release you're playing, but in the 2.0 I'm playing defender definitely lowers your deflection by 5 points, check again.Also, veteran recovery is rounded up to 2 with just a bit of might, and has no duration, while now constant recovery, which heals for 3 with might <= 19 (IIRC) only lasts 90 seconds now, so it's basically a weaker and less versatile form of lay on hands.
That's a huge blow to the fighter's survability, and, really, they don't have that much going for them aside from survability.
In my game it definitely gives deflection +5 not -5. Maybe they fixed it since you last checked?
definitely happy it still gives some def. bonus, makes fighters somewhat useful defensively.
Is that a new game you are playing in?
On my new fresh game installed yesterday, 2.0 with white march, defender gives -5 on my game, are you sure you are playing on 2.0 ? , if you want screenshot, I can give to you.