The first Gunbreakers emerged during a time of great upheaval. A once-prosperous kingdom teetered on the brink of collapse, besieged by invaders wielding mysterious firearms. The kingdom's finest warriors—stalwart knights bound by oaths of protection—found themselves outmatched by the deadly precision of these new weapons. Faced with annihilation, the kingdom’s alchemists, blacksmiths, and arcanists banded together to create a weapon that could counter this threat: the Gunblade.

The Gunblade combined the reliability of a traditional blade with the devastating potential of firearm technology. Alchemical cartridges, imbued with elemental magic, allowed its wielder to unleash explosive bursts of energy in battle. The warriors trained to use these weapons became the Gunbreakers—a new breed of protector, capable of both unyielding defense and overwhelming offense.

Over time, the Gunbreaker became more than just a weapon of war. It became a symbol of resilience, a testament to the idea that innovation and tradition could coexist. The legacy of the first Gunbreakers lives on in those who wield these hybrid weapons today, blending their mastery of combat with a deep-seated desire to protect the innocent.

Level 3: Gunblade Combat

At 3rd level, when you choose this subclass, you gain proficiency with firearms and gunblades, a unique weapon that combines the blade of a sword with a firearm mechanism. A gunblade is a versatile weapon that deals 1d8(1d10) slashing damage on a hit and can be used with the Two-Weapon Fighting style. The gunblade has a special gunpowder charge feature (described below) that allows it to unleash powerful shots in combat.

Gunblade Charge: Whenever you hit a creature with your gunblade, you can expend a charge to unleash a gunshot as part of the attack. The gunshot deals 2d6 force damage increases by 1d6 for every 5 levels you have in this class (2d6 at 3rd level, 3d6 at 8th level, etc.). You can use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus (minimum of once) per long rest.

Additionally, you can use a bonus action to reload your gunblade with a charge, allowing you to fire another gunshot when you make your next attack.

Level 7: Defensive Stance - Gatling Shield

As a Gunbreaker, you can use your action to enter a defensive stance called Gatling Shield. In this stance, you hold your Gunblade in a defensive position, using it to protect yourself and your allies. While in this stance, you gain the following benefits:

• Armour Up: You gain a +2 bonus to AC while  Gatling Shield is active.
• Gunbreaker’s Shield: You and any ally within 10 feet of you has resistance to force damage while you are in the Gatling Shield stance.

You can maintain the Gatling Shield stance for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1), after which you must take a short or long rest to use it again. Additionally, you gain access to the Shield and Shield of Faith spells (3 charges each), and can only cast these spells while Gatling Shield is active.

Level 10: Aegis Guard

Your mastery of the Gunblade extends to defensive techniques, allowing you to protect yourself and your allies.

As a reaction when an ally within range of your Gatling Shield takes damage, you may choose to expend 1 charge to reduce the damage by 1d6 + your Constitution modifier. If the target is an ally, they also gain temporary hit points equal to the damage reduced. Additionally, you now have access to the Sentinel feat.

Level 15: Unbreakable Gaurd

At 15th level, you have learned to harness the power of your gunblade's defensive and offensive capabilities. When you are hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to activate Unbreakable Guard, spending 2 charges from your gunblade to deflect the blow. Until the start of your next turn, you gain resistance to all damage. If an enemy hits you while you are in this state, they take 4d6 force damage as the energy from your gunblade redirects the strike with explosive force. The enemy must also make a Constitution Saving Throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier) or be stunned until the start of their next turn. Additionally, if the attack would have reduced you to 0 hit points, you are instead reduced to 1 hit point.

You can use Unbreakable Guard once per long rest.

Level 18: Final Gambit - Gunbreaker’s Requiem

At 20th level, you unlock the pinnacle of your power, the ultimate Gunbreaker’s Requiem. As an action, you can unleash the full might of your gunblade and its stored charges, performing a devastating strike and powerful explosion. This ability requires you to expend all remaining charges stored in your gunblade.

• Gunbreaker’s Requiem: You perform a mighty gunblade strike, causing an explosion of energy to erupt around you. Each creature within a 30-foot radius of you must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution). On a failed save, creatures take 10d6 force damage and are knocked prone, or half as much on a successful save and are not knocked prone. You also take 5d6 force damage, halved if you succeed on a Constitution saving throw (DC = 15).

After using Gunbreaker’s Requiem, you cannot use this feature again until you finish a long rest.