Gauntlet of Garahel

The Gauntlet of Garahel is a unique fighter subclass that draws its strength from the legendary Gauntlet of Garahel, an ancient artifact of unmatched versatility and arcane might. Wielders of this subclass combine masterful crossbow marksmanship with a shield that can compress for swift movement and expand for fortified defense. With the power to unleash explosive bolts, deliver devastating arcane retaliation, and even deploy a rectangular parachute for aerial escapes, the Gauntlet of Garahel fighters prove themselves as agile and resourceful warriors on the battlefield, harnessing the legacy of Garahel to protect allies and punish foes with unrivaled ingenuity.

Gauntlet of Garahel

Beginning when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in light crossbows and your Gauntlet of Garahel crossbow, and proficiency with shields and your Gauntlet of Garahel shield.

You receive the Gauntlet of Garahel:

• Gauntlet Shield: Your gauntlet serves as a +1 bonus to your AC when it is compressed on your arm. As a bonus action, you can extend the gauntlet, transforming it into a hexagonal shield, which grants you a +3 bonus to your AC. You can use your reaction to open or close the shield.
• Gauntlet Crossbow: Your gauntlet is equipped with a built-in crossbow, allowing you to fire different bolts as part of your action. You have a quiver of 20 bolts, and you can choose from three types of bolts:
• Standard Bolt: Deals 1d8 piercing damage.
• Explosive Bolt: Deals 1d6 fire damage in a 5-foot radius. Affected creatures must make a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC, taking half damage on a successful save.
• Arcane Bolt: Deals 1d10 force damage and has a range of 120 feet.

Dynamic Evasion

Starting at 7th level, you receive upgrades to your equipment and a new backpack. 

• Rectangular Parachute: You have gained access to a rectangular parachute that fits into a backpack you wear. As a bonus action, you can deploy the parachute, granting you resistance to falling damage and allowing you to make controlled descents from high places. However, using the parachute means you cannot use a regular backpack to store items during that time.
• Spring Smasher: When a creature misses a melee attack against you, you can use your reaction to activate the Spring Smasher ability. The attacker is blasted with 2d6 arcane force damage. Alternatively, you can use your action to perform a Shield Bash, dealing 2d6 arcane force damage to the target. This damage increases to 4d6 at 10th level and 6d6 at 15th level.
• Grappling Hook: Your gauntlet is equipped with a spring-loaded chain that houses a grappling hook. As an action, you can fire the grapple up to 60 feet, allowing you to reach ledges, climb difficult terrain, or even pull creatures closer to you. Additionally, you have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks when using the grappling hook to climb or maneuver.

Grappling Hook

Your gauntlet is equipped with a spring-loaded chain that houses a grappling hook. As an action, you can fire the grapple up to 60 feet, allowing you to reach ledges, climb difficult terrain, or even pull creatures closer to you. Additionally, you have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks when using the grappling hook to climb or maneuver.

Rectangular Parachute

You have gained access to a rectangular parachute that fits into a backpack you wear. As a bonus action, you can deploy the parachute, granting you resistance to falling damage and allowing you to make controlled descents from high places. However, using the parachute means you cannot use a regular backpack to store items during that time.

Blazing Shield

At 10th level, your equipment gets a fiery upgrade.

• Blazing Shield (2 charges per long rest): As a bonus action, you can ignite your shield, imbuing it with fiery power. Until the end of your next turn, any creature that hits you with a melee attack takes an additional 4d4 fire damage. This fire damage increases to 4d6 at 15th and 4d8 at 18th level.

Quad Shot

Starting at 15th level, your weapon attacks four times when you use the crossbow.

• Quad Shot: Your Gauntlet Crossbow gains the ability to make four attacks with a single action. You can fire four bolts of any type in a single turn, allowing you to rain down a barrage of ranged attacks.

Grapple Slam

At 18th level, you gain the ability to make a ranged attack with your grappling hook against a creature. On a hit, you get pulled to the creature hit doing a slam attack. This counts as one of your attacks in your attack action. The target takes 8d10 bludgeoning damage upon impact, and they must make a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the creature is also stunned until the end of their next turn, overwhelmed by the force of the slam. On a successful save, they are not stunned.