Bulwark

The Bulwark is a fighter who fully appreciates the elegant simplicity of the shield. In their hands a shield is both a an impregnable wall and a weapon in its own right. Where as other fighters may strike fear in their enemies with overwhelming power, the Bulwark's strength is more subtle. The terror enemies feel is from an insurmountable obstacle, who endures blow after blow and chips away at their spirits.

Shield Bash

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn how to use the shield as an offensive weapon.

While you are using a shield, when you make a melee weapon attack within 5ft of an enemy you can choose to use your shield for the attack. You are proficient with attacks made with your shield and add your strength modifier to the attack and damage rolls. On a hit the shield deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage. Any magic bonus that applies to your shield applies to the attack and damage rolls of your shield as well.

You can also use your shield bash as a bonus action.

In addition, when you hit a creature with your shield the next attack against that creature that is not your shield bash, has advantage.

Versatile Defense

At 3rd level, you learn additional techniques with the shield to bolster your defensive prowess.

While you are wearing a shield you may expend a use of this feature to take one of the following reactions:

Block: When you are hit with an attack or subjected to a dexterity saving throw you can use your reaction to gain a +4 bonus to AC and dexterity saving throws until the start of your next turn. This includes the triggering attack or saving throw.

Counter: If a creature hits you with an attack or if a creature would provoke an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to make up to two melee weapon attacks against that creature.

You can use this feature twice and gain an additional use at 10th level. You regain all expended uses when you finish a short or long rest.

Shield Wall

Starting at 7th level, if you expend a use of your Versatile Defense feature while within 5 feet of another friendly creature wearing a shield, attacks against both of you have disadvantage until the start of your next turn.

Swift Protection

At 10th level, you're able to quickly aid an ally in a pinch.

When a creature that you can see is hit with an attack or forced to make a dexterity saving throw, you can use your reaction to move up to half your speed to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the creature. If you do, until the start of your next turn that creature has resistance to all damage except psychic damage while they are within 5 feet of you. This includes the attack or saving throw that triggered this reaction. If you end your movement in the area of the effect that triggered this reaction you must also make the saving throw.

You must be wearing a shield to use this feature.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your constitution modifier. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Stalwart Defense

Starting at 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no uses of Versatile Defense remaining, you regain one use of it.

Swift Reprisal

At 18th level, when you use your Swift Protection feature you can additionally make up to two melee weapon attacks.