WAY OF THE SHIELD
Some monasteries teach a specialized form of combat
that is very different from traditional monk fighting
techniques. This style is known as the Way of the Shield,
and it emphasizes the shield as a living extension of the
warrior. Monks of this tradition train to take advantage
of shields and polearms, so that they can fight with or
against large armies of hoplites in phalanx formations.
Such monks commonly wear long red cloaks to disguise
their intentions and add fluidity to their movements.
Temples that teach the Way of the Shield are often decorated with scrolls that exalt the feats of war-
riors who are fearless when faced with impossible odds. Massive armies may be surprised to encounter resistance from a proud band of shield monks with less
than a tenth of their numbers. Grandmasters of this
tradition have even been known to stand alone against
creatures many times their size.

Aresian Technique
Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you
gain proficiency with shields. Additionally, wielding a
shield does not impede your Martial Arts, Unarmored
Movement, or Unarmored Defense features. You may
also use your shield as a “free hand” to catch and hold
missile weapons with your Deflect Missiles feature.
As long as you are wielding a shield, opportunity
attacks against you are made with disadvantage.

Shield Dancer
Starting at 6th level, you have learned new techniques
for using shields on the battlefield.
Vaulting Strike. As a bonus action on your turn,
you may spend 1 ki point to vault yourself into the air,
leaping up to 15 feet in any direction. If you are wielding
a shield, then this leap does not provoke opportunity
attacks. If you take an Attack action immediately after
leaping, then you have advantage on your first melee
attack, and it scores a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
Counterattack. Whenever a creature makes an
opportunity attack against you and misses, if you are
using a shield, you may use your reaction to spin around
and make a single melee weapon attack against that
creature, without interrupting your movement.

Shell of the Dragon Turtle
Starting at 11th level, you have learned to think of your
shield as an extension of your body. As a reaction when
you are attacked, you may spend 1 ki point to gain an
additional +3 AC from your shield, including against the
triggering attack, until the beginning of your next turn.
Undaunted Spirit
Beginning at 17th level, you are fearless when faced
with overwhelming enemies. You have advantage on all
attacks made against creatures that are Huge in size or larger. Additionally, you cannot be frightened or paralyzed by spells or abilities used by such creatures.

Way of the Shield

at 3rd level, you
gain proficiency with shields. Additionally, wielding a
shield does not impede your Martial Arts, Unarmored
Movement, or Unarmored Defense features. You may
also use your shield as a “free hand” to catch and hold
missile weapons with your Deflect Missiles feature.
As long as you are wielding a shield, opportunity
attacks against you are made with disadvantage.

Shield dancer

Vaulting Strike. As a bonus action on your turn,
you may spend 1 ki point to vault yourself into the air,
leaping up to 15 feet in any direction. If you are wielding
a shield, then this leap does not provoke opportunity
attacks. If you take an Attack action immediately after
leaping, then you have advantage on your first melee
attack, and it scores a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.

Counterattack. Whenever a creature makes an
opportunity attack against you and misses, if you are
using a shield, you may use your reaction to spin around
and make a single melee weapon attack against that
creature, without interrupting your movement.

Shell of the Dragon Turtle

Starting at 11th level, you have learned to think of your
shield as an extension of your body. As a reaction when
you are attacked, you may spend 1 ki point to gain an
additional +3 AC from your shield, including against the
triggering attack, until the beginning of your next turn.

Undaunted Spirit

Undaunted Spirit
Beginning at 17th level, you are fearless when faced
with overwhelming enemies. You have advantage on all
attacks made against creatures that are Huge in size or

larger. Additionally, you cannot be frightened or para-
lyzed by spells or abilities used by such creatures.