Shielder is a Fighter who has mastered the art of both wielding and modifying shields to dominate the battlefield, using shields not only as defensive tools but also as powerful, versatile weapons. Shielder Fighters train rigorously to turn their shields into deadly implements of attack, defense, and battlefield control. With expertise in shield modifications, ricocheting throws, and techniques for intercepting attacks on allies, they embody an impenetrable fortress on the battlefield.

Level 3: Shield Combatant

You gain specialized training to wield shields both offensively and defensively.

Shield as Weapon. Your shield is treated as a simple melee weapon with which you have proficiency. It deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage, has finesse, thrown (20/60), and adds your Strength or Dexterity modifier to attack and damage rolls.

Level 3: Returning Shield

When you make a thrown attack with your shield and it hit a creature, the shield returns to your hand immediately after the attack.

Additionally, When you take the Attack action and make an attack with your shield, you can make an additional shield attack as a bonus action on the same turn. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage roll of this bonus attack unless it is negative.

Level 7: Ricochet Impact

You gain the ability to strike multiple targets by ricocheting your shield and further enhance your defensive capabilities.

Ricochet Throw. Once per turn, when you make a thrown shield attack and hit an creature, you can make your shield bounce and target one creature within 10 feet of the first creature. Creature targeted by this bounce takes 1d4 bludgeoning damage, and the shield then returns to your hand.

Deflecting Impact. Your shield attacks now ignore resistances to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

Safe Landing. If you fall while wielding your shield, you take no damage from falls of up to 30 feet. For falls greater than 30 feet, you take only half damage. If the fall exceeds 30 feet, the shield may be broken or destroyed at the DM’s discretion.

Level 10: Shield Modification

You gain the ability to perform specialized modifications on Shield, +1, +2, or +3 using smith’s tools. You gain proficiency with smith’s tools, and if you do not have a smith’s tools, you acquire a set for free. Modifying a shield requires 1 hours of short rest and the following costs in materials:

• Sharpened Shield (10 gp). The shield’s damage type changes to slashing instead of bludgeoning.
• Light Shield (10 gp). The shield gains the light property. Additionally, the shield gains either weapon mastery nick or vex if you have weapon mastery with shield.
• Heavy Shield (10 gp). The shield gains the heavy property, two-handed property, and damage die become 1d10. It loses the finesse and thrown properties, and it gains either weapon mastery cleave or graze mastery property if you have weapon mastery with shield.

If Sharpened Shield is modify with either Light Shield or Heavy Shield, the shield retains the slashing damage type. You can't modify a light shield with a heavy shield, except to replace their effects.

Level 15: Wise Protector

Your ability to use shields to protect and control the battlefield becomes more advanced.