Path of the Shieldmaiden

There are traditions among the Orcs that run as deep as the frigid mountains. Their shields are as lethal as they are unbreakable. Their passion inspired generations of women and struck fear into their enemies. They are called Shieldmaidens; a title destined the moment they were born. To become a Shieldmaiden means to handle the brunt of the assault. They are the bastions of their tribe... and they will not fall.

Shield Riposte

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you become trained in exploiting openings to stop the momentum of your foes. When a creature no more than one size larger than you misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to make a melee attack with your shield against the creature. If you hit, you deal no damage but immediately end the creature’s Attack action and it takes a -1 penalty to AC until it moves out of your reach.

 At 10th level, you can also use this feature when a hostile creature within your reach misses an Attack against a target other than you.

Get Behind Me

At 3rd level, in defense of an ally, your rage turns to protection as you put yourself in the way of an attack meant for another. If you are raging when a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can choose to become the target of the Attack instead. You can’t use this feature again until the start of your next turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Reckless Defense

Beginning at 6th level, your vicious attacks causes your foes to stagger, forcing open more opportunities to counter. When you hit a creature with a Reckless Attack, your next Shield Riposte made against the creature before the start of your next turn has advantage.

In addition, you regain a reaction when a friendly creature you can see scores a critical hit.

Impenetrable Bulwark

At 10th level, your stance widens and solidifies with your friends by your side. While raging, friendly creatures within 5 feet of you, gain your shield's AC bonus if their AC is equal to or lower than your AC.

Undying Bastion

At 14th level, when rage becomes desperation, your muscles flex as your skin becomes impenetrable. The base DC of Relentless Rage is reduced to 5 and immediately after you succeed on the saving throw, you become immune to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks until the start of your next turn.