Shield Master

Your specialization is your shield; you forsake traditional weapons in place of it, having become adept at making a weapon of it.

Defensive Weapon

When you reach 3rd level, you have become adept at using your shield as a melee weapon. Your shield becomes a martial melee weapon that you are proficient in, dealing 1d8 Bludgeoning damage and using either your Dexterity or Strength modifier. The shield can also be thrown to a range equal to your Fighter level times 5 (long range equals Fighter level times 7), dealing 1d8 Bludgeoning damage and using the Dexterity modifier. The shield must be retrieved after being thrown.

Defensive Maneuvering

When you take on this archetype at 3rd level, you are able to quickly defend your allies from enemy attacks. When a hostile creature attacks an ally, you can add your shield's AC bonus (+2) to their AC until your next turn as a Reaction. This can be done twice per Short Rest, and the number of times increases to 3 at 7th level, 4 at 10th level, 5 at 15th level, and 6 at 18th level.

Enhanced Damage

When you reach 7th level, the 1d8 dealt by your shield's melee and ranged attacks both change into 1d10. You no longer have to retrieve it after it has been thrown.

Vulnerable Strike

At 10th level, twice per Long Rest, you are able to use your Reaction when a hostile enemy misses an attack on you to make a melee shield attack. The hostile creature must be within your melee range.

Defensive Position

When you reach 15th level, you can use your Bonus Action to double your shield's AC bonus for three rounds of combat if you have been hit with an attack, twice per Long Rest. This also affects the Defensive Maneuvering feature. The number of times increases to 3 times per Long Rest at 17th level.

Glancing Blow

When you have reached 18th level, you can use your shield to absorb the impact of an attack. If a hostile creature hits you with an amount of damage more than half of your total HP, you take half damage.