D&D 5E magic items are some of the best in the game’s history, but, with so many tantalising options, it can be hard to find the right objects for your game. Whether you’re a DM looking for the perfect item to hide in your dungeon, or a player trying to decide between that magic Morningstar or a Bag of Holding, this list can be of great help to you.
When it comes to D&D magic items, it’s important to remember that some are drastically more powerful than others. A good rule of thumb is so look at how common an item is. Uncommon magic items are harder to find and more expensive, but also tend to be worth it.
If you’re a DM, be careful not to hand out a super rare magic item too early in the campaign, or you might have to adjust some encounters to keep things balanced. This list will cover all types of magic items, so, as you read through, keep in mind which ones will work the best for you and your party!
Oh, and don’t forget to reference the guides for the magic item prices; DMs, accidentally letting your players get their hands on rare arcane doodads for a handful of silver is going to get chaotic real fast. But we digress; prepare your Identify spells, because…
These are the best D&D 5E magic items:
- Bag of Holding
- Cloak of Protection
- Wand of Magic Missile
- Alchemy Jug
- Magic Weapon
- Illuminator’s Tattoo
- Boots of False Tracks
- Spell Scroll
- Circlet of Blasting
- Ioun Stone
5e Bag of Holding
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
The Bag of Holding is a classic D&D magic item. It allows the party to store up to 500 lbs (226 kg) worth of items while always maintaining the weight of 15 lbs.(6.8 kg) As long as the object can fit in the bag’s opening, the bag can hold it.
Perfect storage – but it has its dangers
A great place for storage – but it’s not without its dangers. If the bag is turned upside down, all the contents spill out. If the bag is overloaded, or takes damage, all items inside the bag are lost to the Astral Plane. Oh, and don’t try to open a portal of any kind in the bag of holding, or else you’ll… ahem… ‘bag’ yourself (and any creatures within ten feet of you) a one-way trip to the Astral Plane.
Cloak of Protection 5e
Wondrous Item, Uncommon, requires attunement
The Cloak of Protection is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s a cloak that protects you. Not only does it give a +1 bonus to your armour class, it also grants a +1 to any saving throws while wearing the cloak.
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Because it has to be on your person, and requires attunement (there’s a limit to how many items you can be attuned to at one time), it’s not going to be the solution for everyone. But if you’ve got a low armour class, it just might be for you.
Wand of Magic Missile 5e
Wand, Uncommon
Among the simplest, yet most iconic D&D 5e magic Items, the Wand of Magic Missile is exactly what it sounds like.
It’s the quintessential DnD spell
Whoever’s got the wand can use an action to cast the spell Magic Missile. The wand has up to seven charges, but, if the player chooses, they can use additional charges each time they use the wand, to cast Magic Missile at a higher level.
Each in-game day, you’ll roll a d6 +1 to find out how many charges the wand has that day. Be wary, though – if you use up all the charges, you must roll a d20. On a roll of a 1, the wand is destroyed.
Alchemy Jug 5e
Wondrous item, Uncommon
The perfect item for a player who likes to think outside the box! The Alchemy Jug contains what appears to be one gallon (3.7 litres) of liquid, and weighs 12lbs (5.4 kg). However, you can spend an action to name a liquid – and the jug will produce that liquid!
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It can produce 2 gallons (7.5 Litre) every minute – but there’s a maximum amount it can produce, depending on the liquid, so keep that in mind when making your choice. Choose wisely, too – because, once you pick a liquid, you can’t select a different one until the next morning.
Magic Weapon 5e
Weapon, various rarities
D&D Magic Weapons can vary in price, rarity, and value. Basic magic weapons generally add +1 to your attack roll modifier – but some can do far more incredible things.
Magic weapons are powerful – but can have drawbacks
Many Magic Weapons deal different types of elemental damage, or inflict status effects on successful hits. Others are even sentient, and can talk to the one wielding them. When stumbling upon a shiny new magical weapons in your D&D 5E game, don’t be too hasty to snatch it up! If it seems too good to be true, it usually is; all power comes at a price, and some powerful Magic Weapons come with dastardly curses attached.
Illuminator’s Tattoo 5E
Tattoo, Common, requires attunement
Some 5E magic items aren’t permanent, physical items. For instance, the Illuminator’s Tattoo is a magic needle that, when used to create a tattoo, disappears. The wearer of the tattoo, however, is granted an ability called Magical Scribing.
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This allows them to touch any written message with their fingertip, say someone’s name, and, for the next 24 hours, only the writer and the one whose name was spoken can read the message. If the tattoo is ever removed, the needle reappears, and a new tattoo can be applied to someone else. This is the perfect magical item for a party who has a lot of secrets they need to protect.
Boots of False Tracks 5e
Boots, Common
The Boots of False Tracks are one of those items that don’t come in handy all the time, but, when they do, can be life-saving. When a humanoid wears the boots, they can choose what they want their tracks to look like. This can be pretty much anything, from a different-sized humanoid to a wolf. This item is particularly helpful for a member of the party who scouts ahead, or is often sent on solo missions.
Spell Scroll 5e
Scroll, various rarities
Just as there’s a wide variety in magical weapons, D&D 5E contains a vast selection of different possible spell scrolls. These are exactly what they sound like: a spell written on a scroll, ready to be cast by a character who’s got the right skills.
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What makes the D&D spell scroll special is that, if you have a scroll for a spell that’s also on your casting list, you don’t have to use up your material components to cast it, as you normally would. However, it is a one-time thing; once the spell is complete, the scroll is destroyed. Still – if you know a great spell, but it has very expensive or rare components, the spell scroll could come in handy.
Circlet of Blasting 5e
Wondrous item, Uncommon
Magic weapons aren’t the only magic items that can do damage. The Circlet of Blasting is both a stylish accessory, and an aid in battle. While you are wearing the circlet, you can use an action to cast Scorching Ray, adding an additional +5 to the attack roll.
While this can only be used once a day, it’s superb for a party member who might need to conserve their limited spell slots, or to lend a helping hand to someone without much magic to begin with.
Ioun Stone 5e
Wondrous item, Rare – Legendary rarity, requires attunement
An Ioun stone is a very versatile magic item, with14 different variant types, ranging from rare to legendary in status. Each type of Ioun stone gives the user a different result. Some make it so you don’t need to eat or drink anything; others make you stronger; and others store spells inside, for you to use at a later date. While they’re some of the harder magic items to come by, they are almost always helpful to at least one member of the party.
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There are hundreds of more magic items to choose from, but we hope this list was a gateway to discovering some new items, and maybe rediscovering some classic ones. Whether you’re a player or a DM, magic items are a great way to liven up the game, and tide characters over until the next level up.
Source: Wargamer
