Way of the Iron Shirt (5e Subclass)
Way of the Iron Shirt[edit]
Monks of the Way of the Iron Shirt focus on pushing their ki outwards as a barrier against harm. They learn to absorb blows that would fell an ordinary person, eventually becoming as impervious and immovable as a mountain. In time, these monks may even learn to push their ki beyond the bounds of their physical body, turning their protective energy into an irresistible destructive force.
- Iron Shirt Technique
Starting when you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you can enter a meditative fighting stance to focus your ki outward to protect yourself from harm. As a bonus action you can spend 2 ki points to enter a meditative fighting stance for 1 minute. While in this stance, you gain the following benefits.
- Resistance to slashing, bludgeoning, and piercing damage.
- Advantage on Constitution saving throws.
- Your Unarmored Defense may be calculated using your Constitution modifier instead of Dexterity.
- Interposing Body
At 6th level, you gain the ability to shelter your allies from harm. As a reaction, when an creature attacks a target within 5ft of you or a ranged attack or spell attack passes within 5ft of you, you may spend 1 ki point to place your body in the way and force the attack to target you instead. You may use Deflect Missiles as a part of this reaction if the triggering attack would normally qualify.
- Iron Mountain Technique
Beginning at 11th level, you can enter a meditative fighting stance of even higher focus to better protect yourself from harm. When you enter Iron Shirt Stance, you can spend an additional 3 ki points to instead enter Iron Mountain Stance. You gain additional benefits, on top of those provided by Iron Shirt.
- Resistance to all damage but psychic.
- Advantage on Wisdom saving throws.
- Your unarmed attacks ignore resistance to bludgeoning damage, and treat immunity as resistance.
- You cannot be moved against your will.
- While in this stance, you cannot concentrate on spells.
When you exit Iron Mountain stance, you gain 1 level of Exhaustion.
- Outward Facing Force
At 17th level, you gain the ability to focus your ki to such an extent that its bounds extend outside your body. While under the effects of Iron Shirt or Mountain stance, your unarmed attacks deal an additional die of damage, and you ignore resistance to bludgeoning damage, and it cannot be otherwise reduced.
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