The monk Dungeons & Dragons class can sometimes be overlooked for more well-known classes like wizard or druid, which may be more closely associated with magic items. However, the monk class has many unique features and abilities that make them a fun way to switch up a typical in-game party. This is further enhanced by the myriad of magical items in the game, many of which mesh incredibly well with the monk class to create interesting synergies, moves, or important boosts to stats.
Some players consider the monk to be OP in Dungeons & Dragons, but that isn't always the case. While moves like Stunning Strike do give the class unique advantages, there are also areas where the monk faces disadvantages. For example, they lose the ability to use things like Martial Arts if they wear armor, making them quite squishy characters, an issue which is further compounded by the fact their attacks are close-range, making them more susceptible to damage. These are the best magic items in DnD that help improve the monk class.
Bracers Of Defense Make D&D Monks Less Squishy
While monks lose much of their abilities when donning armor, there's nothing in the rules that give the same limitations for bracers. This is a fairly minor, non-game-breaking DnD magic item that still provides a solid boost without making any drastic changes for the DM. While wearing the Bracers of Defense, monks will receive a +2 to their AC once the Rare item is attuned to them given they aren't wearing armor or using a shield, providing a solid way for monks to gain a bit more resilience in the heat of battle.
A Blood Fury Tattoo Solves Two Monk D&D Problems
Monks can utilize tattoos from Tasha'a Cauldron of Everything to their advantage in Dungeons & Dragons, and the Blood Fury Tattoo is undoubtedly one of the most powerful. This tattoo solves two monk problems: not dealing enough damage, and not being able to heal. Although there are exceptions, as the game goes on monks may find themselves weaker than other party members, but with the addition of a Blood Fury Tattoo a DnD party could quickly become overpowered.
A Blood Fury Tattoo comes with 10 daily charges, which can be utilized whenever a monk lands a hit on an enemy in Dungeons & Dragons. Upon hitting, players can use a charge to deal an extra 4d6 necrotic damage, which is a huge boost of power for the class. This damage is then converted into HP for the monk, simultaneously dealing damage and healing. Charges can also be used to fuel reactions to enemy hits on the monk, allowing them to attack back with advantage.
Boots Of Speed Make Monks In D&D Even Faster
Monks are already an incredibly speedy class that's designed around getting hits in and then getting as far away as possible. With Boots of Speed, monks will double their walking speed, which is great for dashing around in battle. Although these Rare boots may not be as powerful as the DnD tattoos from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, the ten minutes of speed they provide every long rest can be incredibly useful if used strategically.
After attunement, monks activate these Boots of Speed by clicking their heels together Wizard of Oz style, and alongside the doubled distances they can now travel, players will also find themselves somewhat protected from opportunity attacks. Enemies who attempt an opportunity attack on the monk will have disadvantage, which makes it much less risky for monks to zip around the DnD combat area. This means they can save their Ki for other moves besides Step of the Wind and gives a solid combat advantage to players.
Ring Of Spell Storing Is A D&D Monk Loophole
Typically, monks can cast very few spells in Dungeons & Dragons, if any at all. However, a Ring of Spell Storing helps players to get around this, and can potentially help with their limitations regarding armor and shields as well. Instead of dealing with the pros and cons of DnD multiclassing to try to gain spells, monks can have this ring - which can hold up to five levels worth of spells - infused by a more magical party member, but attune it to themselves.
Spells like Shield that provide an AC boost can be very useful with this Rare item, making up for the monk's typical AC limitations. However, it can be used in a myriad of creative ways to add power or flavor to a character. Players could utilize the ring to hold ranged attacks that can balance a monk's typically up-close fighting style, or for something like Disguise Self to help out more stealth-focused monks. The ring utilizes the original caster's spell save DC, slot, and spellcasting attack bonus and ability, which is great news for players with powerful magic users in their party.
Broom Of Flying Helps D&D Monks Reach More Enemies
A few races, like the hadozee - a race new to 5e in DnD's Spelljammer: Adventures in Space box set - as well as several in-game items like Winged Boots allow for some form of flight or gliding in Dungeons & Dragons. However, one of the simplest ways to achieve flight in the game is through the Broom of Flying - it's much easier to acquire as it's only an Uncommon item, and it doesn't require attunement, letting monks save space for other attuned items. Flying can be incredibly important for monks since they rely so much on close combat, and this broom lets them get within striking range easily.
The Broom of Flying has a speed of 50 feet, although if a rider exceeds 200 pounds this drops to 30, with a max weight of 400. Along with being a useful combat tool, it's a great way for DMs making fantasy book-inspired homebrew DnD campaigns to add flavor. A neat extra feature of the Broom of Flying is that players can also send the broom by itself to a location within one mile, given a character is familiar with it, serving as a sort of potential taxi for split up parties.
Of course, the addition of any magical items will have to be up to a DM's discretion, and some of the more powerful things on this list may be a hard sell. However, experimenting with magical items like these is a great way to spice up a class that sometimes falls under the radar like monk. There are other ways players can do this too, like trying new subclasses, but interesting objects can help add power and flavor to Dungeons & Dragons without having to create an entirely new character.
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