Shield Mastery

Most warriors and combat specialists spend their years perfecting the classic arts of swordplay, archery, or polearm tactics. Whether duelist or infantry, martial weapons were seemingly perfected long ago, and the true challenge is to master them.

The archetype Shield Master focuses on the use of a shield as both defensive protection and an offensive weapon. Experts of this archetype can proficiently use their shield as a lethal combat weapon as well as a cunning defensive object.

Offensive Battery

Beginning when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you begin to understand effective ways to utilize your shield in combat. Your shield acts as a light weapon you are proficient with. Your shield does 1d4 adding the strength modifier for all damage rolls. Roll 1d4 slashing, piercing or bludgeoning damage determined by the method of attacking.  At level 10 your shield does 1d6 for all damage rolls.

Shield Cover

Starting at 7th level as a bonus action you can use your shield to disengage, your movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks for the rest of the turn.

Shield Finesse

When you reach 10th level, your shield has become second nature and feels more like a finesse weapon. You can now apply Strength or Dexterity during your Hit and Damage rolls.

Assaulting Reaction

When you reach 15th level, three times per short rest, as a reaction, you can taunt a creature making an attack within 5ft of you and the attack is made against you instead.  You may add your proficiency modifier to temporarily bolster your AC (or add to a roll against the DC of a magic attack) for this attack against you.

Bulwark Defense

At 18th level, you can wield a shield with greatly improved defenses. All equipped shields provide you no less than ½ cover unless the attack is surprise or sneak attacks.  Additionally no bonus is provided if the attacker is not visible to you. You gain an additional +2 bonus to AC because of this cover.