Combat Guards

You've learned the fine art of sword combat guards. Gripping your sword with two hands, you are able to take offensive and defensive postures. Ready positions from which to deliver all manner of blows.

• When you first roll initiative, you can also choose to adopt one of the below guards. At the start of your next combat round, you can use a Bonus Action to adopt a new guard. You may only change guard once per round.

- Ochs or Ox (Offensive): You draw your weapon up and to the outside of your body, pointing it towards your enemy. This allows for direct threats with straight thrust and quick diagonal cuts. You gain a bonus to attack and damage rolls equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounding down).

- Pflug or Plow (Defensive): You draw you sword close into your waist and take a more defensive stance. You add half your proficiency bonus to your AC (rounding down).

- Alber or Fool (Counter): You lower your guard and take a more relax position. The position is deceptively open, allowing for quick counter strikes and fluid motions. Creatures provoke an Opportunity Attack from you when they enter your reach and your Movement doesn’t provoke Opportunity Attacks.