Way of the Guardian (5e Subclass)
Way of the Guardian[edit]
Monk Subclass
The monastic tradition of the guardian specializes in the use of shields in tandem with other monastic abilities. A guardian disciplines themselves in the use of the shield, valuing the defense of others as a noble purpose.
- Designated Aegis
Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, as part of a long rest, you may designate a shield in your possession as your guardian's shield. You are proficient with your guardian's shield, and your guardian's shield doesn't prevent you from benefiting from your Unarmored Defense, Martial Arts or Unarmored Movement.
In addition, you can use your guardian's shield as a monk weapon that deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage on a hit. This die changes to a d8 at 5th level; a d10 at 11th level; and a d12 at 17th level. Different shields can have different damage types (such as piercing for spiked shields, or slashing for bladed ones).
- Patient Bulwark
At 3rd level, while wielding your guardian's shield, you gain the following benefits:
- You have advantage on checks and saves to resist being grappled, restrained, forcibly moved or knocked prone.
- You can, as a reaction, impose disadvantage on an attack made against a creature other than you within 5 feet, so long as you can see the attacker.
- You can spend 2 ki points to cast compelled duel, levitate, or warding bond.
- Thrown Aegis
Starting at 6th level, your guardian's shield can be used as if it had the thrown property with a normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet. Your guardian's shield returns to your hand immediately after the attack, hit or miss.
In addition, when you make a ranged attack with your shield and hit, you can use your bonus action to cause the shield to ricochet, and make another attack against a target you can see within 30 feet of the previous one. You can also spend 1 ki point if you hit this attack to make another attack against another creature within 30 feet of the new target.
Attacks made with your shield are considered magical for purposes of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.
- Guardian's Defense
Beginning at 11th level, you can use your ki to enhance your speed and mobility to better protect your allies. While you are wielding your guardian's shield, you can spend 3 ki points as a bonus action to cast fly or haste targeting yourself.
- Bastion of Ki
At 17th level, while you are wielding your guardian's shield, when you or a friendly creature within 5 feet take damage, you can use your reaction to give that creature resistance to the damage type (including the triggering damage) until the start of your next turn, or until the creature leaves the area.
You can spend ki points to protect one additional creature within reach per ki point spent, as part of the same reaction.
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