Arcane Defender (5e Subclass)
Arcane Defender
Artificer Subclass
The Arcane Defender is a highly specialized soldier, combining magic and cutting-edge technology to protect allies and strike down enemies. Through relentless training, arcane infusions, and expert use of advanced armor and weaponry, you stand as both a bulwark and a deadly force in battle.
Arcane Loadout
After choosing this subclass at 3rd level, you gain the ability to modify existing armor into your Signature Armor and craft specialized weaponry. You gain proficiency with all armors, shields, and simple weapons. Additionally, you can use your Infuse Magic feature to craft or modify a suit of armor into your Signature Armor and a pistol into an Arcane Blaster, a ranged weapon of your own design that only you can wear or use. These items are considered magical and require attunement to use. This modified equipment gains the following properties:
Signature Armor
- Armor Class: 18
- Strength Requirement: 15
- Weight: 50 lbs
- Don/Doff Time: 1 minute
- While wearing this armor, you have resistance to non-magical damage and gain proficiency in Athletics and Acrobatics (or expertise if already proficient).
- You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
- Only the Arcane Defender who modified the armor can wear this modified suit.
Arcane Blaster
At 3rd level, you gain the ability to modify a ranged weapon into an Arcane Blaster, a magical weapon requiring attunement. If another creature attunes to the weapon, they can use it, but they do not gain any of its enhancements. Instead, it functions as a basic magical weapon of its type. Choose one enhancement when crafting or modifying the weapon:
- Arcane Ammunition: Projectiles deal additional force damage equal to your Intelligence modifier.
- Magical Precision: Gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls made with the weapon.
- Elemental Conversion: The type of this weapon's damage is now lightning, fire, or cold.
You are proficient with the Arcane Blaster and its special features.
Arcane Shielding
At 7th level, your Signature Armor is upgraded with a built-in defensive shielding system. As a bonus action, you can activate the shield, granting you temporary hit points equal to your artificer level. This shield refreshes after a short or long rest. At 14th level, the shield regains temporary hit points equal to twice your proficiency bonus.
Armor Modifications
At 10th level, you can install enhancements into your Signature Armor, gaining the following modifications:
- Reinforced: Your signature armor now has an armor class of 19
- Combat Sensors: As a bonus action, gain advantage on your next attack roll against a creature within 30 feet of you. This feature can be used once per long rest.
- Energy Surge: Once per short or long rest, activate an energy surge, granting you an extra 10 feet of movement for 1 minute.
Defensive Overdrive
At 15th level, your mastery over both magic and combat allows you to push your Signature Armor to its limits, temporarily enhancing its defensive capabilities. When you take damage from a creature, you can use your reaction to activate Defensive Overdrive, causing your armor to absorb part of the incoming damage.
You reduce the damage you take by an amount equal to your artificer level (this can't reduce the damage to 0). Afterward, the armor briefly amplifies your next attack. The next attack roll you make within the next minute gains a +2 bonus to hit. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Aegis Protocol
At 18th level, you have perfected your combat techniques and technology. You gain the following benefits:
- Tactical Mastery: As a bonus action, you can grant yourself and allies within 30 feet a +2 bonus to attack rolls or saving throws (your choice) once per long rest. This bonus lasts for 1 minute.
- Enhanced Durability: Your maximum hit points increase by an amount equal to twice your artificer level.
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