Large construct, unaligned
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 142 (15d10 + 60)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 8 (-1) | 18 (+4) | 7 (-2) | 10 (+0) | 3 (-4) |
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Languages understands commands given in any language but can’t speak
Challenge 7 (2900 XP)
Bound. The shield guardian is magically bound to an amulet. As long as the guardian and its amulet are on the same plane of existence, the amulet’s wearer can telepathically call the guardian to travel to it, and the guardian knows the distance and direction to the amulet. If the guardian is within 60 feet of the amulet’s wearer, half of any damage the wearer takes (rounded up) is transferred to the guardian.
Regeneration. The shield guardian regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Spell Storing. A spellcaster who wears the shield guardian’s amulet can cause the guardian to store one spell of 4th level or lower. To do so, the wearer must cast the spell on the guardian. The spell has no effect but is stored within the guardian. When commanded to do so by the wearer or when a situation arises that was predefined by the spellcaster, the guardian casts the stored spell with any parameters set by the original caster, requiring no components. When the spell is cast or a new spell is stored, any previously stored spell is lost.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The guardian makes two fist attacks.
- Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
REACTIONS
- Shield. When a creature makes an attack against the wearer of the guardian’s amulet, the guardian grants a +2 bonus to the wearer’s AC if the guardian is within 5 feet of the wearer.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A shield guardian is a large construct that resembles a suit of armor. It is created by a spellcaster to serve as a loyal bodyguard and companion. A shield guardian is magically bound to a specific amulet that allows its wearer to communicate with it telepathically and command it to perform various tasks. A shield guardian can also store a spell of 4th level or lower that its master can cast on it, and use it when needed. A shield guardian is immune to poison and most mental effects, and can regenerate its wounds quickly. A shield guardian’s sole purpose is to protect its master from harm, even at the cost of its own existence.
COMBAT
A shield guardian is a formidable opponent in combat, using its powerful fists to strike at its enemies. It can also cast the spell stored within it by its master, if instructed to do so or if a predefined situation arises. A shield guardian’s most remarkable ability, however, is its shield. When a creature attacks the wearer of the shield guardian’s amulet, the construct can magically transfer half of the damage to itself, as long as it is within 60 feet of its master. This makes it very difficult to harm the shield guardian’s master without destroying the construct first.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A shield guardian has no habitat or society of its own, as it is an artificial being created by magic. It follows its master wherever he or she goes, unless ordered otherwise. A shield guardian does not need to eat, sleep, or breathe, but it does require regular maintenance and repair by its master or someone skilled in magic and engineering. A shield guardian can understand commands given in any language, but it cannot speak. A shield guardian has no emotions or personality, but it can develop a bond with its master over time.
ECOLOGY
A shield guardian has no natural role in the ecology, as it is a product of magic and technology. It does not reproduce or interact with other creatures, except to obey its master or defend itself from threats. A shield guardian can be used for various purposes by its creator, such as exploration, research, warfare, or personal protection. A shield guardian’s amulet is a valuable item that can be stolen or destroyed by enemies, which would render the construct inert or hostile. A shield guardian’s body is made of metal and other materials that can be salvaged or recycled after its destruction.