Vanguard Archetype (Fighter)
The archetypal Vanguard strides onto a battlefield confidently, expecting to face the brunt of the enemy forces. Those who model themselves to this archetype stand against impossible odds and prevail with their skill and a dash of luck.
Vanguard features
| Fighter level | Features |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Bonus Proficiency, Rising Threat |
| 7th | Warrior's Intuition |
| 10th | Rallying Strike |
| 15th | Honed Sense |
| 18th | Mantle of Steel |
Bonus Proficiency
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Perception, or Survival.
Rising Threat
Starting at 3rd level, you leap into battle, empowered by the rush of danger as you are battered and beaten about. You add your Wisdom modifier to initiative rolls.
Additionally, While you are at or below half your hit point maximum, you gain +2 AC and your attacks deal additional damage equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Warrior's Intuition
Starting at 7th level, your experience in battle shows. While you are at or below half your hit point maximum, you add your Wisdom modifier to Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
Rallying Strike
Beginning at 10th level, as blows meet their mark, you retaliate as you reach your full potential. When you are reduced to or below half your hitpoint maximum, you may use your reaction to immediately make an attack against a target you can see. If you hit with this attack, you gain temporary hitpoints equal to twice your Fighter level. You may use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. You regain all expended uses after a long rest.
Honed Senses
Starting at 15th level, your risky fighting preferences demand a level of focus which you constantly surpass. You gain proficiency in either Dexterity or Wisdom saving throws.
Mantle of Steel
At 18th level, on your last legs do you find your second wind to cleave through enemy lines. While you are at or below 30 hitpoints, when you make an attack, you can make another attack with the same weapon against a different creature that is within 5 feet of the original target and within range of your weapon.
Vanguard Archetype - v. 2.5
Super edgy homebrew by No Laifu. It's Inktober 2019 and I want to do something this time around; I'll be doing thematic subclasses based on the prompt. Today's (Oct. 29) prompt: injured. This is a redux of one of previous that I have been deeply dissatisfied with. Most of the reworked portions are the 10th and 18th level feature. The core idea of this subclass is that you gain strength as your hitpoints fall lower to try and encourage a high-risk-high-reward playstyle.
Allow me to tell you a bit about Thria of Nizo - a mercenary from the far reaches of the West.
Thria tried everything from medicine to labor, but nothing took to her. At least, not until she hefted an axe nearly twice her height. What in the world was she, a simple cook at the time, doing with something like that? Aye, the gods know but she didn't tell me. I've heard tell that she was simply holding the damn thing while a guard ducked into the bushes to relieve himself. Others say she won it in a chance game of cards. No matter the reason, she took the weapon and swung it about a bit. Took nary ten swings and she fell in love with weapons and warfare.
She itched to prove herself since she left home, and mercenary work was her key. She wasn't as strong as many in her line of work, but her knack for fighting was real. Often she would rushed into the fray and get battered about, but quickly rallied and retaliated in swift fashion. Had sharp instincts, she did, and that kept her alive more than she cares to admit.
- Beloved Sven, the Skald recounting his adventures.