The Shogun

The Shogun Fighter subclass epitomizes the way of the Bushido Code, melding honor, courage, and loyalty into their combat techniques. This subclass steps onto the battlefield embodying a code of conduct that not only inspires their tactics but also reflects a way of life deeply ingrained in the discipline of martial arts.

At 3rd level, the journey of a Shogun Fighter truly begins. They commit to a primary virtue from the Bushido Code - Honor, Courage, or Loyalty - and learn to harness Bushido points. These points, a reflection of their resolve and spirit, are expended to fuel various techniques corresponding to their chosen virtue. Honor focuses on self-defense, Courage on enhancing offensive capabilities, and Loyalty on protecting their allies.

By 7th level, Shogun Fighters attain the ability to perform the Iaido Strike, a fluid, swift attack reminiscent of a master swordsman slicing through foes in a single, straight-line dash. The effectiveness of this ability increases with their proficiency in combat.

At 10th level, Shogun Fighters become able to meditate on their actions, regaining hit points whenever they expend a Bushido point to activate a combat technique. This ability reflects their unity of body and spirit, allowing them to endure even the most grueling of fights.

At 15th level, a Shogun Fighter has achieved mastery over two of the virtues of the Bushido Code, their understanding deepening to encompass an additional virtue they hadn't chosen before. Their Bushido point reservoir also increases, now bolstered by their Constitution modifier. This level of mastery illustrates their physical resilience and unyielding spirit.

When a Shogun Fighter reaches 18th level, their mastery of the Bushido Code culminates in a powerful passive ability related to the virtue they initially left unchosen. This ability, permanently active, further heightens their combat prowess, be it through bolstering their defenses, amplifying their attacks, or enhancing their ability to safeguard their allies. Along with this, your understanding and mastery of the Bushido Code allows you to hold off death temporarily using your discipline.

In its essence, the Shogun Fighter subclass transforms the fighter into a living embodiment of the Bushido Code. Every battle is a testament to their discipline, every technique a reflection of their chosen virtues. The path of the Shogun Fighter is more than a combat style – it's a way of life.

Bushido Code

At 3rd level, you adopt the Bushido code as your guiding principle. You gain a number of Bushido points equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1). You regain all spent Bushido points after completing a long rest.

Your commitment to Bushido allows you to focus your will into specific virtues, empowering your martial abilities. When you adopt this martial archetype at 3rd level, choose one virtue: Honor, Courage, or Loyalty.

In addition, you gain proficiency in the Persuasion skill. If you already have this proficiency, you may gain proficiency in another skill of your choice.

Courage

When you hit with an attack, you can spend a Bushido point to deal extra damage equal to your Fighter level.

Honor

As a bonus action, you can spend a Bushido point to gain an AC bonus equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of +1) until the start of your next turn.

Loyalty

As a reaction when a creature within 5 feet of you is attacked, you can spend a Bushido point to redirect the attack to you, provided the attacker can reach you and you aren't incapacitated.

Shogun Charge

At 7th level, your swift and deadly movements on the battlefield mimic the force of a charging samurai. When you use your action to Dash, you can make a melee weapon attack against any number of creatures you move past during your Dash, up to your Bushido points. Each attack uses a separate Bushido point. The Dash must be in a straight line and you must end the Dash within 5 feet of a hostile creature.

Harmony of the Warrior

At 10th level, your constant practice and dedication to the bushido code have enabled you to blend your martial prowess and virtues seamlessly. Whenever you spend a Bushido point, you regain hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1). This self-healing represents your inner harmony and balance, helping you to endure the rigors of battle and maintain your fighting spirit.

Master of Virtues

At 15th level, you have mastered all aspects of the Bushido Code. You learn an additional virtue from the Bushido Code feature that you did not choose earlier. Your maximum number of Bushido points increases by an amount equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1). You regain these additional points when you finish a short or long rest.

Shogun's Resolve

At 18th level, your understanding of the code expands to encompass the virtue you didn't initially choose, granting you a powerful passive ability.

Furthermore, your mastery of the Bushido Code allows you to push beyond your mental limits, turning dire situations into opportunities for victory. Your unwavering resolve ensures that you aren't easily defeated. If damage reduces you to 0 hit points, you can choose to be reduced to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this ability, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Courage

Your newfound fearlessness empowers your strikes. Your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19-20, and you add your Fighter level to the damage of your critical hits.

Honor

While you are not incapacitated, any creature that attacks you has disadvantage on their attack roll.

Loyalty

Your steadfastness now extends to protecting those around you. Whenever a creature within 5 feet of you is targeted with an attack, you can use your reaction to become the target of that attack. Additionally, through a quick parry or cutting the incoming attack out of the air, you reduce the damage from that attack by an amount equal to your Fighter level.