Uncommon: While holding the shield, when you are hit by an attack, you can use your Reaction to reduce the damage you take by 1d8 + your Proficiency Bonus. You can use this property only if an ally is within 5 feet of you and you have not moved during the current turn. Once used, this property cannot be used again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Rare: After the shield's first bearer personally helps hold a physical line against a failing structure, such as shoring up the Hanging Car's hoist chain, Brace for Impact improves: reduce the damage by 2d8 + your Proficiency Bonus, and you can use it twice. You regain all expended uses when you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Very Rare: After you dedicate one month of downtime to defending a physical boundary or gate against a force determined to breach it, Brace for Impact improves: reduce the damage by 3d8 + your Proficiency Bonus. When you use it, choose one ally within 5 feet of you. That ally gains Resistance to the triggering attack's damage type until the start of your next turn. You can use Brace for Impact twice per Short Rest. If you have not been Bloodied since your last Short Rest, you regain all expended uses when you finish a Short Rest. For this item's purposes, Bloodied means you have half your Hit Point maximum or fewer.

Ascendant, level 20: Brace for Impact reduces the damage by 4d8 + your Proficiency Bonus. While you are conscious, each ally within 10 feet of you gains a (+2) bonus to AC and saving throws while you have not moved during your current turn. This aura ends immediately if you move or become unconscious.