Shields in combat are so much more usable than their current state of a mere +2 AC. I feel there should be more going on for our shield bearers who decide to occupy a hand with this option. Add the "'Shove" Rule as follows.
Shield Bash -
Must be Proficient in shields to use this and have high enough strength to wield a shield.
Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack to shield bash a creature, and knock it prone or push it 5 ft. away from you. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them.
The target must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. Instead of making an attack roll, you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target's Strength (Athletics). If one of the creatures are "larger" than the other, the "Larger" creature gets advantage on it's Strength check. You succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If you succeed, do 1d4+Str Mod in bludgeoning damage, then either knock the target prone, or push it 5 feet away from you.
If you are Dashing, you may end your movement with a shield bash as a bonus action. This consumes all leftover movement.
Shield spikes increase the dmg to 1d6+Str mod in Piercing Dmg.
Shield +2AC+Bash+Deflection 11Str 10 GP 6lbs Spikes 5 GP 1lbs
Shield Deflection/AC
Must be Proficient in shields to use this and have high enough strength to wield a shield.
Shield Bearers gain a +2 AC to all incoming attacks from a 180 degree front arc.
Reaction: When a melee or ranged attack with ammunition (Arrows, Bolts, Blowgun Needles, Sling Bullets, or other objects with this relative size) with a 180 degree front arc hits you, you may spend your reaction to try and deflect that attack by comparing a Dexterity check against theirs. If successful, it becomes a glancing blow and you take 1/2 damage. Does not work against anything that is AOE, non-targeting, crits or spells or large ammunition such as bolts from a bolt thrower. If the Melee attack is coming from a "Larger" opponent, it will only deflect 1/4 of the damage instead. Can only deflect a melee attack from a creature that is one size larger than you.
Shields in combat are so much more usable than their current state of a mere +2 AC. I feel there should be more going on for our shield bearers who decide to occupy a hand with this option. Add the "'Shove" Rule as follows.
Shield Bash -
Must be Proficient in shields to use this and have high enough strength to wield a shield.
Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack to shield bash a creature, and knock it prone or push it 5 ft. away from you. If you're able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this attack replaces one of them.
The target must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. Instead of making an attack roll, you make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target's Strength (Athletics). If one of the creatures are "larger" than the other, the "Larger" creature gets advantage on it's Strength check. You succeed automatically if the target is incapacitated. If you succeed, do 1d4+Str Mod in bludgeoning damage, then either knock the target prone, or push it 5 feet away from you.
If you are Dashing, you may end your movement with a shield bash as a bonus action. This consumes all leftover movement.
Shield spikes increase the dmg to 1d6+Str mod in Piercing Dmg.
Shield +2AC+Bash+Deflection 11Str 10 GP 6lbs Spikes 5 GP 1lbs
Shield Deflection/AC
Must be Proficient in shields to use this and have high enough strength to wield a shield.
Shield Bearers gain a +2 AC to all incoming attacks from a 180 degree front arc.
Reaction: When a melee or ranged attack with ammunition (Arrows, Bolts, Blowgun Needles, Sling Bullets, or other objects with this relative size) with a 180 degree front arc hits you, you may spend your reaction to try and deflect that attack by comparing a Dexterity check against theirs. If successful, it becomes a glancing blow and you take 1/2 damage. Does not work against anything that is AOE, non-targeting, crits or spells or large ammunition such as bolts from a bolt thrower. If the Melee attack is coming from a "Larger" opponent, it will only deflect 1/4 of the damage instead. Can only deflect a melee attack from a creature that is one size larger than you.
To know the light, you must sometimes experience the dark.
You're more than welcome to homebrew it, (which is where this should be posted)