Path of the Plate

Despite the tendency of most barbarians to forgo armor in its entirety, barbarians of the Path of the Plate choose to instead embrace the heavy metal on their body.

These barbarians are brutal in combat, often using heavy weaponry to take advantage of their weight in combat. Utilizing their armor and weapons, barbarians of the Path of the Plate are truly terrifying combatants that can rip and tear as they please.

Some may be honorable warriors bowing to a knight's vow, while others may be warlords looking to seize new territory whilst bearing a terrifying visage.

Armored Warrior

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with heavy armor. In addition, you can now ignore the restrictions heavy armor grants for any barbarian class features.

Fists of Steel

Additionally, while you are wearing heavy armor, your unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks, and deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage instead of 1.

Unrelenting Force

Starting at 6th level, while you are wearing heavy armor and you hit a creature within 5 feet of you with a critical hit from a melee weapon with the heavy property, you can use your bonus action to make an unarmed strike against the target. If it hits, it counts as a critical hit.

Plated Strength

At 10th level, you become a walking wall of power.

While you are raging and wearing heavy armor, you can forgo one of your attacks when you take the Attack action. If you do, you can use your bonus action to make an unarmed strike against the target you are attacking. If it hits, the target is grappled and restrained.

In addition, your use of heavy armor throughout your battles has bolstered your strength. You count as one size category larger when determining your carry capacity and the weight you can push, drag, and lift. 

Towering Form

Beginning at 14th level, you have mastered the weight of your heavy armor.

While you are raging and wearing heavy armor, whenever you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or with a melee weapon that has the heavy property you may roll one additional weapon damage die. 

In addition, while you are raging and wearing heavy armor, your AC increases by half of your proficiency bonus (rounded down). You do not gain this benefit while you are wielding a shield.