Phalanx Warrior

Phalanx warriors are elite fighters whose true strength shows when fighting side by side with an ally. Skilled with weapons of all types, they are especially deadly with a protective style of fighting that utilizes a spear or some other reaching weapon, and a shield. They coordinate their tactics with their allies, becoming a deadly unit on the battlefield. When fighting alone, a phalanx warrior is a minor threat, but when combined with powerful allies they are a force to be reckoned with.

Defensive Stance

Beginning when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, your skills as a phalanx warrior allow you to defend nearby allies. While you are wielding a shield, you can enter a Defensive Stance as a bonus action on your turn. While in this stance, your movement speed is reduced by 10 feet, and you, and creatures of your choice within 5 feet of you, gain a +1 bonus to their Armor Class. Your stance only ends if you fall unconscious, are incapacitated, die, or end it as a bonus action.

While in your Defensive Stance, you gain access to the following defensive actions detailed below:

    Brace. As a reaction, when you, or a creature within your Defensive Stance, is forced to make a saving throw to resist being grappled, move against their will, or knocked prone, you can grant that creature advantage on their roll.

    Intercept. As a reaction, when a creature within your Defensive Stance is hit by an attack, you can interpose yourself between them and the attack. If the triggering attack would meet or exceed your Armor Class, you take damage as if you had been the original target.

    Shield Bash. When you take the attack action, you can use a bonus action on that same turn to attacks a creature within 5 feet of you with your shield. You are proficient with this attack, and uses your Strength modifier, on a hit, your shield attack deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier. This damage increases to 1d6 at 10th level, and then 1d8 at 18th level.

Tactical Signals

Starting at 3rd level. you learn a form of communication unique to phalanx warriors. You can communicate simple ideas to other creatures that can see you as long have a free hand and they understand your symbols. You can also use the Help action with them as a bonus action as long as they and their target are within 30 ft. of you.

You can teach one creature of your choice your tactical hand signals over the course of each short or long rest.

Rallying Wind

Starting at 7th level, You can rally your allies to hold formation. When you use your Second Wind feature, creatures of your choice within your Defensive Stance gain temporary hit points equal to your fighter level.

Stalwart Defender

At 10th level, your defensive tactics and awareness stand out amongst the elite. You gain an additional reaction to use, you gain another reaction at 18th level. You cannot use multiple reactions for one trigger.

Improved Defensive Stance

Starting at 15th level, you have improved your defensive technique so that you may better defend nearby allies. Creatures of your choice within your Defensive Stance now gain the benefits of half cover in place of the bonus to their Armor Class.

Legionnaire

At 18th level, you have mastered the fighting techniques of the Phalanx Warrior. Your Defensive Stance effects creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you.