Martial Archetype: Shieldbearer

The shieldbearer is a master of using shields. They have learned not only advanced defensive techniques, but also how to fight masterfully using nothing but their shields. They use their protection to exert complete control over the battlefield.

Combat Shield

Starting at 3rd level, you have learned how to use shields in an offensive manner in addition to its normal defensive purposes. You can use a shield as a martial melee weapon. On a hit, your shield deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage. This damage increases to 1d8 at 7th level and 1d10 at 15th level. In addition, when you take the attack action, you can use your bonus action to try and shove a target hit by at least one your shield attacks. If the target is large or smaller, the target must make a Strength saving throw or be shoved 10 ft away from you or be knocked prone (your choice). The DC for the saving throw equals:

8 + your proficiency bonus + Your Strength modifier

Arcane Shield Strikes

Starting at 7th level, you learn to take the magic that flows through enchanted shields and channel it into your strikes. Magic shields that give a bonus to your armor class also add their bonus to your attack and damage rolls. In addition, attacks from magic shields are magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances and immunities.

In addition, magical shields without an AC bonus are given an attack bonus by this feature. Starting at 7th level, magical shields without an AC bonus give you a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. This bonus increases to +2 at 10th level and +3 at 18th level. If a shield's bonus is different than this value, you can use whichever value is higher.

Bouncing Shield Attack

Starting at 10th level, you have learned to throw your shield, striking multiple targets. As an action, you make a ranged attack roll against one creature within range. In order to use this action, you must be holding a shield. Your shield has a normal range of 15 feet, and a long range of 30 feet. On a hit, you don’t add your Strength score to the damage, and your shield only deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage instead of your normal shield damage. If you can make another attack roll against another creature if it within your shield’s short range. You can repeat this process until one of your attacks miss. When your attack misses, roll a d20. On a 5 or less, your shield falls 5ft from the last creature you made an attack roll against. Otherwise, the shield returns to your hand, bouncing and rolling around the environment in order to make it back.

Supreme Defenses

Starting at 15th level, you have mastered using your shield to protect yourself from harm. While holding a shield, you add the bonus to your AC from your shield to all of your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws. In addition, when you take damage and you are holding a shield, you can use your reaction to halve the damage.

Reflective Shielding

Starting at 18th level, you have learned to use your shield to deflect magical attacks back at their caster. When you are targeted by a line spell or a spell that requires a ranged attack roll, and the attack misses or you succeed on the saving throw against that spell, you can use your reaction and reflect the spell back at the caster as though it originated from you, turning the caster into the target. You can only use this ability if you are holding a shield.