Shield Maiden

Shield Maidens are an excellent front line defense for their allies. As they become more and more experienced, shield maidens learn how to turn their superior defense into effective offensive capabilities. Their defensive focused strategies are enhanced by their ability to utilize defensive magic to further enhance their imperviousness. 

 

Additional Spells (from not basic rules):

• Blade Ward
• Absorb Elements
• Armor of Agathys
• Silvery Barbs
• Cloud of Daggers
• Immovable Object

Spellcasting

When you reach 3rd level, you augment your defensive prowess with the ability to cast spells. See Spells Rules for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the shield maiden spell list.

Cantrips

You learn two cantrips of your choice from the shield maiden spell list. You learn an additional shield maiden cantrip of your choice at 10th level.

Spell Slots

The Shield Maiden Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your shield maiden spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

For example, if you know the 1st-level spell shield and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast shield using either slot.

Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher

You know three 1st-level shield maiden spells of your choice, two of which you must choose from shield maiden spell list.

The Spells Known column of the Shield Maiden Spellcasting table shows when you learn more shield maiden spells of 1st level or higher. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 7th level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level..

Spellcasting Ability

Constitution is your spellcasting ability for your shield maiden spells, since you learn your spells through battles fought and won. You use your Constitution whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Constitution modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a shield maiden spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier

Shield Maiden Spellcasting

Fighter Level	Cantrips Known	Spells Known	— Spell Slots per Spell Level —
			1st	2nd	3rd	4th
3rd	2	3	2	—	—	—
4th	2	4	3	—	—	—
5th	2	4	3	—	—	—
6th	2	4	3	—	—	—
7th	2	5	4	2	—	—
8th	2	6	4	2	—	—
9th	2	6	4	2	—	—
10th	3	7	4	3	—	—
11th	3	8	4	3	—	—
12th	3	8	4	3	—	—
13th	3	9	4	3	2	—
14th	3	10	4	3	2	—
15th	3	10	4	3	2	—
16th	3	11	4	3	3	—
17th	3	11	4	3	3	—
18th	3	11	4	3	3	—
19th	3	12	4	3	3	1
20th	3	13	4	3	3	1

Best Offense is a Good Defense

At 3rd level, you learn how to use your shield as an offensive weapon. You can use your shield as a melee weapon for 1d6+Str bludgeoning damage. This damage increases to 1d8 at level 7, 1d10 at level 12, and 1d12 at level 17.

Dual Wield Shield

Beginning at 7th level, you add the AC bonus from both shields when you are wielding two shields.

Shield Throw

At 10th level, you gain the ability to come to the aid of others by throwing your shield at an attacker.  When you see a creature within 30ft getting attacked with a melee weapon, you can use your reaction to make a ranged weapon attack with your shield at the attacking creature. If the shield hits, the creatures attack is made with disadvantage.

Ever Vigilant

At 15th level, you gain the ability to interpose yourself between an ally and the creature attacking them. As a reaction, you can move up to 10ft and cause an attack to target you instead of the original target.

Advanced Blocking and Movement

Starting at 18th level, you receive a +2 AC bonus for each piece of armor you are using. Additionally, heavy armor does not impose disadvantage on your stealth.