Guardian

You strive to protect your allies by developing an impenetrable defense with your shield. Those who model themselves on this archetype draw attention to themselves on the battlefield, weathering attacks others could not.

Stalwart Protection

Your defensive capabilities are strong enough to bolster surrounding allies. Your Armor Class and Dexterity saving throws receive a +1 bonus as long as you have a shield equipped and aren't incapacitated.

Additionally, creatures you choose within 5 feet of you also receive this bonus to their AC and dexterity saving throws. Creatures can only benefit from the effects of 1 Stalwart Protection at a time.

Your Stalwart Protection bonus increases to +2 at level 7 and +3 at level 15.

Shield Strike

Your experience with a shield has opened your eyes to its combat potential. Once per turn, you can use your attack action to strike a target in reach with your shield. If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the attack action, this replaces the final attack in that action. This attack uses your strength ability modifier and the damage die for this attack is a d4. On a successful hit you can immediately attempt to shove the target as a free action.

Goad

Starting at 7th level,  Concern for your allies emboldens you to challenge even the fiercest of foes. As a bonus action, You can Goad one creature within 30 feet. That creature must make a Wisdom saving throw. (The save DC is 8 + proficiency bonus + your strength modifier) On a failed save, the creature has disadvantage when targeting any creature other than you with attacks or spells until the end of its next turn.

This can be done a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus. All expended uses are recovered on a short or long rest.

Improved Stalwart Protection

Sturdy

At 10th Level, Deflecting powerful martial attacks gets easier. All bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage you take is reduced by a value equal to your proficiency bonus.

Intercession

Starting at 15th level, you find the will to push past your limits and charge into the fray. You use your reaction to gain 1 level of exhaustion, then move up to your walking speed towards a targeted ally. Until the beginning of your next turn, creatures now under your Stalwart Protection can substitute your AC for their own and are given advantage on dexterity saving throws. Additionally they receive half damage on a failed dexterity saving throw, or 0 damage on a successful one.

Mastered Stalwart Protection

Impenetrable

At 18th Level, Your ability to counter incoming attacks has become unrivaled. Any creatures under your Stalwart Protection is given advantage on Dexterity saving throws; Additionally any damage they receive as a result of a Dexterity saving throw is reduced by a value equal to your proficiency bonus.