Way of the Shield (5e Subclass)
Way of the Shield[edit]
Monastic Tradition
Most monastic traditions focus in the use of proper footwork, precise body movement and awareness of the environment in order to avoid strikes, instead of using the typical armor and shields favored by other combatants. Those who follow the way of the shield don't see this piece of equipment as a hindrance, but as a complement to their natural agility and mindfulness. Using the shield as both a weapon and a defensive tool, these monks can stun their opponents with powerful shield bashes, while protecting themselves from attacks. They also can extend their defensive techniques to their allies, that can be promptly covered by their shields when threatened by strikes.
- Shield Combat
Starting at 3rd level, you have learned how to use a shield in combination with your martial arts. You gain proficiency with shields, if you don't have already, and using a shield doesn't prevent you from benefiting from your Martial Arts, Unarmored Defense and Unarmored Movement feature.
In addition, you consider your shield as a monk weapon, that causes 1d6 bludgeoning damage on a hit. If the shield as a magical bonus to its AC, you have the same bonus to your attacks and damage rolls with it. If the shield is magical, attacks with it ignore resistance and immunity to non-magical damage.
Finally, while wielding a shield, you can use your unarmed strikes made as part of your Martial Arts or Flurry of Blows feature to attempt shove a creature, instead of making unarmed strikes.
- Defensive Technique
At 3rd level, you can quickly react to danger with your shield. When you or a creature within 5 feet are hit by an attack or fail a Dexterity saving throw, you can spend 1 ki point as a reaction to add your martial arts to the target's AC, potentially causing the attack to miss. This bonus lasts until the start of that protected creature's next turn.
In addition, whenever you would make an unarmed strike on your turn, you can forgo that unarmed strike. If you do so, you gain one additional reaction that can be used until the start of your next turn.
- Shield Bash
Also at 3rd level, you can use your shield to briefly stun an opponent. As a bonus action, you can spend 1 ki point to make a melee weapon attack with your shield. On a success, the target is pushed 10 feet back and is Incapacitated until the end of your next turn.
When you use your Flurry of Blows, you can replace one of your attacks made as part of that flurry to use a shield bash instead.
- Shield Mastery
Starting 6th level, whenever you use Defensive Technique to shield yourself, you can extend that benefit to another creature of your choice within 5 feet. This benefit ends if that creature is no longer within 5 feet.
In addition, whenever you successfully Shield Bash a humanoid creature, that creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw, or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The creature can make another saving throw at the end of each of its turns to end the effect. The creature can also make another saving throw whenever it takes damage.
- Defensive Mastery
When you reach the 11th level, you can use your Defensive Technique without spending ki.
In addition, whenever you use your flurry of blows, you can forgo one of your attacks to make a Shield Bash without spending extra ki.
Finally, whenever you use your Defensive Mastery to aid a creature in a Dexterity saving throw, that creature benefits from your Evasion feature.
- Aegis
At 17th level, you reach the peak of your defensive technique. Whenever you use your Defensive Technique, you can create a invisible aura of ki, that spreads for a 10-foot radius. Any friendly creature within that aura is considered to have half cover.
In addition, whenever you use your Shield Bash, all creatures of your choice in a 10-foot radius must succeed on a Strength saving throw or they are pushed back by an invisible force of ki 10 feet back, and the area within that radius become difficult terrain for hostile creatures until the start of your next turn.
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