Bulwark

Bulwarks are formidable fighters who specialize in defensive techniques that can repel even the deadliest of attacks. A Bulwark is most effective when working in tandem with their allies, when their mastery of the shield enables them to form a near impassable frontline against their enemy’s assault.

Bonus Proficiency

When you choose this archetype at 3rd, you gain proficiency with smith's tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make to maintain or repair armor and shields using this proficiency.

Defensive Stance

At 3rd level, you learn new techniques with your shield that enable you to better protect yourself and your allies. While you are wielding a shield, you can use your bonus action to enter a defensive stance until the start of your next turn. While in this stance, you and each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of you have a +2 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn or you are incapacitated. You can use this bonus action only if you haven’t moved during this turn, and after you use the bonus action, your speed is 0 until the end of the current turn. Your stance ends if you are incapacitated.

Shield Bash

Starting at 7th level, when you use the Attack action on your turn, you can make a melee attack with your shield as a bonus action. You are proficient with this attack. On a hit, the attack deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, and the target must make a Strength saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus. If the save fails, you either knock the target prone or push it up to 10 feet away from you.

Improved Defensive Stance

At 10th level, each creature that has an AC bonus from your Defensive Stance can add that bonus to any Dexterity saving throw they make against a spell or other harmful effect that targets only them.

Intercept Attack

Beginning at 15th level, when a friendly creature you can see within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack while you are in your Defensive Stance, you can use your reaction to interpose your shield between the attacker and the creature. When you do so, you become the new target of the attack, and if the attack hits you, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + your Strength modifier + your fighter level.

Defensive Strike

Starting at 18th level, you can retaliate against foes who manage to get past your defenses. While you are in your Defensive Stance, creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they hit you with an attack.