Defender

Defender's were once elite guards of lords and kings, then struck out on their own to find other uses for their talents. Trained to see other's lives as the priority, defender's are adept at keeping enemies at bay and rescuing their allies from harm. With their otherworldly reaction speed and indomitable will, they will stop at nothing to keep those around them safe.

Defender's strike

Any feature you use from this archetype that requires a target to make a saving throw has a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your strength or dexterity modifier

When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack you deal an additional 1d4 damage of the weapons type and if the target is size large or smaller, it must succeed a strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

This damage die increases at higher levels. To a d6 at 7th level, a d8 at 10th level, and a d10 at 18th level

 

Guardian's leap

When an ally you can see within 5 feet of you is the target of a creature's attack roll, you can use your reaction to leap in between the ally and enemy so long as there is an unoccupied space within 5 ft. of the ally. This makes you the new target of that attack roll and you gain +2 AC against that attack. Additionally, if the attacker is within your melee range immediately after using this trait, you can make one melee attack against it.

Protective stance

Creatures of your size or smaller you choose can use you as a source of 3 quarters cover, so long as your speed is above 0 and you are not incapacitated, or prone. the creatures must be within 5 feet of you and you must be between them and the enemies attacking them. Additionally, on your turn you may use your bonus action to bolster your allies, giving 4d4 temporary hit points to yourself and any friendly creatures using you as cover. You have 2 uses of this trait, regaining all uses at the end of a short or long rest.

Surge of Retribution

When you use your action surge to make an attack that hits against a creature who on their turn attacked one of your allies, the target takes an additional 3 rolls of your defender strike damage die and the target must make a strength saving throw, on a fail the target is pushed 15 feet away from you and you can immediately move 15 feet towards them with no cost to your movement, this movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.

Exemplary Guardian

Your guardian's leap and protective stance's range increases to 15 upon gaining this level. Additionally, upon using guardian's leap, the ally you target can use their reaction to make an attack on the enemy that targeted them.