Warrior of the Shield#

Some monasteries teach a specialized form of combat that is very different from traditional monk fighting techniques. This style is known as the Way of the Shield, and it emphasizes the Shield as a living extension of the warrior. Monks of this tradition train to take Advantage of Shields and polearms, so that they can fight with or against large armies of hoplites in phalanx formations. Such monks commonly wear long red cloaks to disguise their intentions and add fluidity to their movements.

Temples that teach the Way of the Shield are often decorated with scrolls that exalt the feats of warriors who are fearless when faced with impossible odds. Massive armies may be surprised to encounter Resistance from a proud band of shield monks with less than a tenth of their numbers. Grandmasters of this tradition have even been known to stand alone against creatures many times their size.

Level 3: Aresian Technique#

You gain Training with Shields. Additionally, wielding a Shield does not impede your Acrobatic Movement, Martial Arts, Unarmored Movement, or Unarmored Defense features.

Your Shield is considered a monk weapon. As long as you are wielding a Shield, Opportunity Attacks against you are made with Disadvantage.

Level 6: Shield Dancer#

You have learned new techniques for using Shields on the battlefield.

• Vaulting Strike. As a Bonus Action on your turn, you may spend 1 Focus point to vault yourself into the air, leaping up to 15 feet in any direction. If you are wielding a Shield, then this leap does not provoke Opportunity Attacks. If you take the Attack action immediately after leaping, your melee attacks have Advantage and they score a Critical Hit on a roll of 18–20 on the d20 until the end of the current turn.

• Counterattack. Whenever a creature makes an Opportunity Attack against you and misses, if you are using a Shield, you may use your Reaction to spin around and make a single melee weapon attack or Unarmed Strike against that creature, without interrupting your movement.

Level 11: Shell of the Dragon Turtle#

You have learned to think of your Shield as an extension of your body. As a Reaction when you are attacked, you may spend 2 Focus points to gain an additional +5 AC from your Shield, including against the triggering attack, until the beginning of your next turn.

Level 17: Undaunted Spirit#

You can use your Shield as a ranged weapon. As an action, you can spend 1 Focus Point to throw your Shield at two targets within 90 feet. You may spend an additional 1 Focus Point to add an extra target. You may have up to four targets.

Make a ranged attack against each target. Being within 5 feet of a creature doesn’t impose Disadvantage on the attack roll. On a hit, the target takes damage equal to two rolls of your Martial Arts dice, adding your Dexterity or Strength modifier. If your Shield is magical, any bonus to your AC is also added to damage.

Immediately after hitting or missing the last target, the Shield flies back to your hand.