Base Class: Fighter
There is a philosophy of combat wherein a better defense proceeds a better offense. You are among those in this camp. Focusing on your skill with a shield rather than your ability with a blade. You choose to protect yourself and those around you, keeping everyone in the fight longer and wearing down your opponent with punishing strikes from your shield that keeps them off balance. In order to protect others you acknowledge you must first be able to help yourself.
Shield Tactics
When you choose this fighting style at 3rd level, you gain certain abilities.
Shield Strike: You can make a Shield Strike attack as one of your attacks on your turn. This special attack deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1D4 + STR + Prof. On a successful hit, the targeted creature, so long as they are no more than 1 size larger than you, must make a Strength Saving Throw equal to 8 + STR + Prof. On a failure, the creature is knocked prone or pushed back 5 feet, your choice. You may use this ability a number of times equal to 2 + Prof bonus, and all uses are regained after a short rest.
This damage increases to 2D4 at 5th level, 3D4 at 11th level, and 4D4 at 17th level. (The shield can be used to make an improvised weapon attack dealing 1D6 + STR + Prof, however, this attack grants no additional effects to the target.)
Take Cover:
In addition to the effects of Shield Strike, the target must also make a Wisdom Saving throw equal to 8+ Prof Bonus+ Str Mod. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on attacks targeting creatures other than you until the start of your next turn.
You also begin to hone your defensive capabilities with a shield, when you make a Dex saving throw you may
protect yourself with your shield. Roll 1D8 and reduce the amount of incoming damage by the number rolled. You must decide to use this ability before damage is determined. You may do this a number of times equal to 2+ your proficiency bonus, and regain all uses after completing a short rest.
The die increases at later levels. 2D8 at 5th level, 3D8 at 11th level, and 4D8 at 17th level.
Defensive Posturing
When you reach 7th level in this class, your skill with a shield has become so significant you can protect those near you if they were to suffer an attack.
If an ally within 5 feet of you were to suffer a targeted attack (ranged, melee, or spell), you can use your reaction to reduce the damage taken by your ally by 2D8. This increases at later levels to 3D8 at 12th level and 3D8 at 17th level.
You must decide to use this ability before the damage of a roll is calculated and may use this feature a number of times equal to 2+ your proficiency bonus, and all uses return after
finishing a short rest.
Shield Wall
When you reach 10th level in this class, your defensive capabilities have increased even further. You are able to cover yourself more effectively with one shield. You have also
devised a way to further protect your allies in combat.
Your skill with a shield approaches true mastery. While wielding one shield the base AC bonus is increased to a +4.
All other bonuses from that shield still apply to you.
You may instead forgo significant offensive capability and wield two shields at the same time conferring several benefits. You still receive the normal base +2 AC bonus from
each one for a maximum of +4.
If you choose to wield two shields, any creature of your choice standing directly behind you now has 3/4 cover against ranged attacks as you provide a mobile wall of cover
for them to hide behind.
Improved Shield Tatics
At 15th level, your ability to protect yourself and those around you surprises even the strongest of foes. Your Take Cover
and Defensive Posturing die increases to a D10.
Shield Mastery
When you reach 18th level in this class you have taken the philosophy of "A good defense is the best offense" to an entirely new level.
Whenever you begin combat with no instances of Shield Strike, Take Cover, and/or Defensive Posturing you immediately gain one charge of each ability. Moreover, your ability to protect those around you with your shields increases further. Any creature that is within a 5 foot cone behind you gains all the benefits of your Shield Wall ability.
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