Vanguard Shielding

The use of Vanguard Shielding places the Vanguard at the forefront of battle, emphasizing bravery and the ability to absorb and redirect enemy attacks. Those who master Vanguard Shielding are often seen as the stalwart protectors of their allies, taking on the role of the shield that guards the group.

Vanguard Shielding requires the use of a shield. You can only make use of this Ability while wielding a shield.

Default Action

Shield Slam

• Actions

  • Basic

    • Intercept

      ReactionRisk

      Tempo: 2.
      DT: Evasion.

      When another participant attempts to move past you, such as when trying to approach an ally positioned behind you, you may use a Reaction to move Adjacent to that opponent and attempt to halt your enemy. A successful Check forces the target of this Action to immediately stop moving.

      Although this is a Risky maneuver, it does not invite risk from the target you intercept. Other participants you pass when you move, however, might take advantage of the opportunity.

    • Unbalancing Shove

      Tempo: 4 + 1 if Shield is Heavy.
      Range: Adjacent.
      DT: Evasion.

      With a successful Check, you force your target back, moving them from Adjacent to Near. In addition, the target suffers Disadvantage 1 for a number of rounds equal to the Rank of this Action.

    • Vanguard Defense

      DefenseStance

      Tempo: 3.

      You master the art of active defense, interposing your shield to block and deflect attacks while throwing the opponent off balance to prevent additional attacks. While you maintain this stance, you add the Rank of this Augment to your Toughness, reducing the amount of damage you sustain from physical attacks.

      Stance Action: Resolute Guardian

      Qi TechniqueReaction

      Tempo: 2 + 1 if Shield is Heavy.
      Qi Flow: No change or -1.
      Range: Adjacent.

      While adjacent to an ally, you may use a Reaction to add your shield's bonus to their Evasion against a single attack. If that attack still hits your ally, you may use a burst of qi energy to instantly leap in front of the attack. You are struck by the attack in place of your ally.

      Trading places with an ally reduces your Qi Flow, but simply defending them with your shield does not.

  • Advanced

    • Last Stand

      AdvantageQi TechniqueReaction

      Tempo: 0.
      Qi Flow: -1.

      You can flood your body with qi energy to seal minor wounds and relieve some combat weariness. You regain Vitality equal to your current Qi Flow + the Rank of Last Stand and gain Advantage 1 on the next Check you make.

• Augments

  • Basic

    • Powerful Strikes

      Your melee weapon attacks made with this Ability deal additional damage equal to the Rank of Powerful Strikes.

    • Shield Charge

      Movement

      Tempo: +2.
      Range: Near.
      DT: Evasion.

      Before you make a Shield Bash, you may move adjacent to a nearby target. Your Shield Bash deals additional damage equal to Shield Charge's Rank.

      You may not use this Augment on adjacent targets.

    • Stunning Slam

      Qi Technique

      Tempo: +2.
      Qi Flow: -1.

      When you make a Shield Slam you can imbue it with a surge of qi. If you successfully damage your target, they are Stunned for one turn. If the target attempts to resist this stun, the DT is equal to your total Check result for your attack + your current Qi Flow.

      The duration of the stun increases by one turn for every 3 Ranks of this Action (two turns at Rank 3, three turns at Rank 6, and so forth).

  • Advanced

    • Shield Deflection

      Persistent

      While wielding a shield, you add the Rank of this Augment to your Evasion.