Path of the Vanguard

Other barbarians fly into fits of rage and use their brute strength to destroy everything in their path- but those who follow the Path of the Vanguard use a different method to gain power. Instead of an uncontrolled, violent rage, a Vanguard wields a cold, controlled rage, allowing them to make the most of their brute strength to truly dominate the enemy.

Inner Strength

3rd level Path of the Vanguard feature

When you take this path, you gain a pool of inner strength that you can call on for bursts of controlled aggression. You gain resolve points equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest- you can use these resolve points on your Blitz features, shown in the options below. You can activate a blitz when you make a melee weapon attack while raging, or in the specific situation the feature describes. If a blitz requires an enemy to make a saving throw, the DC is equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier.

Blitz

3rd level Path of the Vanguard feature

You gain two blitzes at 3rd level from the list below. You can learn an additional blitz at 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th level.

Blockade Blitz

When you make an attack of opportunity while raging, you can use this blitz. The creature you're attacking must make a Strength saving throw against your Blitz DC. If the creature fails this saving throw, they are grappled if they're a Large or smaller creature- in addition, they take 2d6 + Strength bludgeoning damage as you pull them into a stranglehold. For the duration of the grapple, both you and the creature have a speed of 0, and the creature is considered restrained. You can use your action to deal the same damage to them, and the creature can make a save at the start of their turn against your Blitz DC.

Counter Blitz

You can replace one of the attacks you make with the Attack action while raging with this blitz. When you use this blitz, you can assume a counter stance- until the start of your next turn, any creature that hits you with a melee weapon attack provokes an opportunity attack from you, and you don't need to use your reaction to make these opportunity attacks. Additionally, when you hit a creature with this special opportunity attack, they take one additional weapon die of damage.

Courageous Blitz

You can use this blitz immediately after you land a successful weapon attack while raging. You let out a roar, inspiring yourself and any allies around you. You and any creatures within 10 feet of you gain 1d8 temporary hit points, and in addition, you have advantage on the next Wisdom saving throw that you make within the next minute.

Crushing Blitz

When you successfully land a weapon attack on an enemy while raging, you can use this blitz to force the enemy to make a Strength saving throw against your Blitz DC. If they fail the saving throw, the enemy is knocked prone and takes 2d6 additional bludgeoning damage.

Defensive Blitz

You can use this blitz immediately after you successfully land a weapon attack while raging. When you use this blitz, you steel your body against the next attack that hits you. You can reduce the next bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, thunder, lightning, acid, fire, cold, or poison damage you take by 1d10 + your Strength modifier.

Disabling Blitz

As a bonus action after you land a successful weapon attack against a Medium or smaller creature while raging, you can use this blitz to attempt to slam your fists on both sides of the enemy's head, dazing and disorienting them severely. They must make a Constitution saving throw against your Blitz DC- on a failed save, they are blinded and deafened until the end of their next turn. This automatically fails on creatures that do not have outward appendages for seeing or hearing, such as eyes and ears, or creatures that do not rely on sight or hearing.

Dominating Blitz

When you're raging, you can replace an attack from the Attack Action, including an attack granted by the Extra Attack feature, with this blitz. A creature you target within 5 feet must make a Constitution saving throw- on a failed save, you knock them to the ground and stomp on their neck, dealing damage and dazing them. They take 1d6 + Strength damage, and are stunned until the end of their next turn.

Infuriating Blitz

You can use this blitz immediately after successfully landing an attack while raging. The creature you attacked must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Blitz DC. On a failed save, they take 1d8 additional psychic damage and have disadvantage on attacking any creature other than you until the end of their next turn.

Meteor Blitz

As a bonus action after landing a successful attack while raging, you can use this blitz to utilize your raw strength and throw the target back as far as you possibly can. The creature you hit must make a Strength saving throw against your blitz save DC- on a failed save, they are pushed back a number of feet equal to 5 times your Strength modifier. In addition to this, if they impact with a solid object such as another creature or a wall that would stop their movement, they take 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 5 feet they traveled before impact.

Whirling Blitz

You can use this blitz immediately after landing a successful weapon attack while raging. You whirl around, aiming to strike the other creatures around you. You can immediately make a weapon attack at any other creature within five feet of you, though you must expend additional resolve points if you wish to hit more than one creature with this feature.

Unbound Rage

3rd level Path of the Vanguard feature

Your cool anger has made your rage more mellow, and yet still maintained that same power. When you gain this feature, you can now gain the benefits from your Rage and Fast Movement features even if you're wearing heavy armor, and in addition, you can now cast and concentrate on spells while raging.

Warlord's Cunning

6th level Path of the Vanguard feature

You gain proficiency in the Intimidation and Insight checks, and in addition, you gain a bonus to these skills equal to your Strength modifier.

Guarded Presence

10th level Path of the Vanguard feature

When you gain this feature, your Reckless attack no longer gives enemies advantage on attacks against you after you use it.

Limit Break

14th level Path of the Vanguard feature

Once per long rest, you can unleash a great war cry to inspire you and your allies with forceful energy. You can use this feature when you roll initiative- you can choose any number of creature within 60 feet of you, including yourself. They gain advantage on their initiative roll, and in addition, have advantage on the first attack roll or saving throw they make. When you use this feature, you take 4d8 psychic damage due to its great strain on your body- this damage cannot be reduced or prevented in any way.