Shield Bearer

Masters with a shield, Shield Bearers are well versed in using shields for either offense or defense. Using the normally protective shield as a weapon, turning their own unbreakable defensive capabilities into a mighty offense, and maximizing use of their shields. Common among gladiators or those who don't often have access to more conventional weapons, Shield Bearers sport an unrivaled defense, many not even needing those conventional weapons to be a viable threat in battle.

Shield Bash

Beginning when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn to use your shield as a weapon.

When wielding a shield in one hand and no other weapons, it counts as a Martial Weapon with which you are proficient, with a d8 damage die. If a shield is magical, it retains all of it's effects, and any bonuses to it's base Armor Class translate to bonuses to the attack and damage rolls made with it. 

 After dealing damage with a shield, increase your Armor Class by 1 until the start of your next turn. This effect can occur once per turn.

At 10th Level, your Shield Bash damage increases to 1d10.

Unbreakable Guard

Starting at 10th level, whenever you use your Second Wind feature, increase your Armor Class by the number rolled on the d10 until the start of your next turn.

Additionally, whenever you use your Indomitable feature double the Armor Class given by your shield until the end of your next turn.

Living Barrier

Starting at 7th level, when a  creature provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your shield for the attack, if it hits, their speed is reduced by 10ft, and they have disadvantage on attack rolls against all creatures other than you until the start of your next turn.

Guard Breaker

Your knowledge of defenses lets you undermine your foes' guard.

 

Starting at 15th level, when you hit an enemy with a weapon attack using a shield you can choose to add a d6 to the damage roll, reduce that target's Armor Class by the number rolled until the start of your next turn. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, regaining all expended uses on a long rest.

Lone Phalanx

At 18th level, your mastery of shields allows you to wield two of them at once with relative effectiveness, when doing so you can the following benefits:

-Increase your Armor Class by 1

-When you make an attack with a shield as part of your action, you can use your bonus action to make an attack with your other shield, dealing 1d8 bludgeoning instead of 1d10.

-Allies within 10ft of you have their Armor Class increased by 2 unless you or them are incapacitated.