Monks devoted to the Way of the Shield vow to only use their skills to protect both themselves and others. They are masters of defensive stances and disarming blows.

Monks who join the Way of the Shield are often known as Shieldbearers, due to their intense protection of each other and the innocent lives who seek their aid. Some Shieldbearers join this tradition after taking a vow of pacifism or laying down their arms after seeing the brutality of war. Many members are born into this tradition due to the close knit nature of the Shieldbearers.

Defensive Stance

After diligently training, you have learned several defensive techniques to avoid injury when your foes choose violence.

When you choose this subclass at 3rd level you gain a +1 bonus to AC and a +1 bonus to Dexterity saving throws.

Selfless Protection

You have sworn to protect your allies and the innocent from all harm, no matter the cost to yourself.

At 6th level you gain the ability to take damage in place of another. If an enemy targets a creature that is within 5 ft. of you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to swap places with the creature and force the attack to hit you instead. Regardless of your AC, the attack will hit you if the roll was high enough to hit the intended target. When you take this reaction you can reduce the damage you take by 1d10 + your Dexterity modifier + your monk level. You can reduce the damage by another 1d10 per ki point you spend on this reaction.

Disarming Blow

Those who would do you harm will find doing so far more difficult without their weapons on hand. You have become adept at evening the playing field with precise blows to your opponents wrists.

At 11th level you are able to use disarming blows. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike you can spend 1 ki point to attempt to disarm them. The creature must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save the creature drops whatever weapons it is holding at its feet and becomes unarmed. You can then kick the weapon safely across the ground up to 30 ft. away as a bonus action if you take this action on your turn.

True Shield

You have become a master of the art of protection. All those who are near you feel safe in your presence as you now fully embody the true strength of a Shieldbearer.

At 17th level, as an action, you can spend 4 ki points to create an aura of protection for up to six creatures (including yourself). The creatures you choose gain temporary hit points equal to 3d10 + your Wisdom modifier. You cannot use this action again until after a short or long rest.