The shield guardian devotes herself to the protection and guardianship of her allies, facing overwhelming danger.
The shield guardian is an archetype of the knight class.
Shield Oath (Su)
At 1st level, the shield guardian can, as a swift action, enter this stance and gains a +1 (plus an additional +1 for every three knight levels thereafter) deflection bonus to AC and an insight bonus equal half of her knight level to attack rolls. She also gains damage reduction equal to half her knight level (rounded down, which stacks with all other damage reduction). However, she receives a -2 penalty (plus an additional -1 for every three levels thereafter) on all damage rolls while under this oath.
This ability replaces threat control.
Guardian’s Shield (Su)
At 1st level, a shield guardian learns to surround her allies in a field of protective energy. Whenever she makes an attack roll on an enemy combatant, the shield guardian may apply a guardian’s shield to one ally (other than herself) within 60 feet as a free action. This shield lasts for a number of rounds equal to the shield guardian’s Charisma modifier.
A guardian’s shield grants the affected ally a number of temporary hit points equal to twice the shield guardian’s knight level. These temporary hit points do not stack with other temporary hit points, and vanish when the shield’s duration expires. The shield guardian can use her guardian’s shield ability a number of times per day equal to half her knight level (minimum 1) + her Charisma modifier.
This ability replaces defend ally.
Strategic Protection (Su)
At 2nd level, as a move action, a shield guardian can establish a magic aura that protects one or more of her allies. When she establishes her aura, she selects a number of allies up to her Charisma bonus that she can see and that are within 30 feet. As long as these allies remain within 30 feet of the shield guardian, they gain a +2 bonus to their CMDs and on Constitution checks to stabilize when dying. The bonus increases to +3 at 7th level, to +4 at 12th level, and to +5 at 17th level. The radius of this aura increases by 10 feet at each of these levels. The bonuses from strategic protection last until the beginning of the shield guardian’s next turn.
This ability replaces stand firm.
Bastion (Su)
At 5th level, once per day, a shield guardian can call upon her defensive power to defend her and her allies against her enemies. As a swift action, the shield guardian chooses one target within sight, any attacks the target makes against allies within 10 feet of the shield guardian deal half damage. Attacks against the shield guardian deal full damage, but the shield guardian gains a deflection bonus to her AC equal to her Charisma bonus (if any) against attacks made by the target. This bonus increases by +1 for every three knight levels (to a maximum of +6 at 20th level). The bastion effect remains until the target is dead or the next time the shield guardian rests and regains her uses of this ability. At 8th level, and at every three levels thereafter, the shield guardian may use bastion one additional time per day to a maximum of six times per day at 20th level.
This ability replaces armored defense.
Guard (Su)
At 9th level, a shield guardian can channel her defensive power into her shield, protecting any nearby allies. All allies adjacent to the holy knight gain a shield bonus equal to the shield guardian’s own shield bonus, including any increase from the shield’s enhancement bonus. This bonus does not stack with any existing shield bonuses. The shield guardian, herself, radiates light as a torchlight spell while the shielding is active.
At 14th level, this protection expands to cover any allies within 10 feet and the radiance increases to the effects of a daylight spell.
At 19th level, any allies within 20 feet are protected.
Using this ability consumes two uses of the shield guardian’s guardian’s shield ability, and the effects last for 3 rounds plus a number of rounds equal to her Charisma bonus (if any). The shield guardian must be wielding a shield to use this ability.
This ability replaces fortification.