Fighter Archetype: Shield Warrior
A shield warrior has spent a considerable amount of time training with their shield, and can effectively use it for offense as well as defense.
Shield Techniques
Starting at 3rd level, you learn two Shield Techniques from the list below.
Many techniques enhance an attack in some way. You may only use one technique per turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency modifier, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a short or long rest.
You gain an additional Shield Technqiue option of your choice when you reach certain levels in this class: 7th, 10th, 15th, and 18th.
Shield Strike
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you can use your shield as a martial weapon, with which you have proficiency. It deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage.
Additionally, when you take the Attack action on your turn, you may replace any number of the attacks with a Shield Strike.
Superior Regeneration
When you reach 7th level in this class, your body has become naturally superior at recovering. When you roll a hit die to recover hit points during a short rest, you may add your proficiency modifier to the total for each die.
Additionally, you when you finish a short rest, you may remove one level of exhaustion afflicting you.
Additional Fighting Style
At 10th level, you may choose an additional fighting style from the Fighting Style feature.
Arcane Protection
Starting at 15th level, you have learned how to use your shield to protect you from spells and magical effects. You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Ultimate Defense
At 18th level, your shield skills have reached the pinnacle of defense. You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage while wielding a shield.
Additionally, when you are between an ally and a creature making a ranged attack against them, you grant your ally three-quarters cover if they are your size or smaller.
Shield Technique Options
The Shield Technique feature lets you choose options for it at certain levels. The options are presented here in alphabetical order.
If an option requires a saving throw, your Shield Techinque save DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier.
Bash Attack
When you hit with your shield attack, you can choose to Bash the target. The target creature takes an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage and must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, they are stunned until the end of your next turn.
The damage increases to 4d6 when you reach 18th level in this class.
Bouncing Shield
When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can use this feature to throw your shield at a creature within 30ft of you as a bonus action. Make a melee weapon attack roll against the target. On a hit, the target takes 2d6 + your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage. Regardless of a hit or a miss, the shield bounces back to your hand.
The damage increases to 4d6 when you reach 18th level in this class.
Charge Attack
When you take the Dash action on your turn, you can use this feature to make a Shield Strike as part of that action. If the attack hits, the target takes an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage.
The damage increases to 4d6 when you reach 18th level in this class.
Denting Blow
When you hit with your shield attack, you can choose to strike with your shield in such a way that your target is easier to harm. Your target takes an additional 1d10 bludgeoning damage and has a -2 penalty to AC until the start of your next turn.
The damage increases to 2d10 when you reach 18th level in this class.
Disarming Strike
You can use your shield to strike your target, attempting to disarm them, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it's holding. The target takes an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage and must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it drops the object you choose at its feet.
The damage increases to 4d6 when you reach 18th level in this class.
Reflective Shield
When you would be hit with a ranged weapon attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage by 2d6 + your Strength modifier. If you reduce the damage to 0, you can choose to reflect it towards a creature within 30ft. That creature must make a Dexterity saving throw or take damage equal to the amount you reduced.
The damage reduction increases to 4d6 + your Strength modifier when you reach 18th level in this class.
Shove Attack
When you hit a creature with your shield attack, it takes an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage and must make a Strength saving throw. On a failure, you can choose to push it back 15ft or knock it prone.
The damage increases to 4d6 when you reach 18th level in this clas.
Taunting Blow
You can choose to taunt the target of your shield attack. You gain temporary hit points equal to 2d6 + your Constitution modifier and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they have disadvantage on attack rolls against all creatures other than you until the start of your next turn.
The temporary hit points increase to 4d6 + your Constitution modifier when you reach 18th level in this class.