Bulky Armplates
While armplates are raised, you can use Take Cover as a reaction to increase the circumstance bonus to AC to +4, lasting until the shield is lowered or Take Cover ends naturally. A...
Your armplates are larger than most, giving you superior defensive capabilities. While you have your armplates raised, you can use the Take Cover action to increase the circumstance bonus to AC to +4. This lasts until the shield is no longer raised, or until any of the normal conditions that end Take Cover, whichever comes first. If you would provide lesser cover against an attack, having your armplates raised provides standard cover against it (and other creatures can Take Cover as normal using the cover from your armplates). Bulky Armplates leads to... Dire Armplates