Recommended Magic Items for a Monk Character in Dungeons and Dragons

I've played a few monks in short campaigns and DM’d a couple of longer campaigns. A few things I found: it’s important to shed the monk trope-y stereotype of the ascetic wanderer. Your monk need not be garbed only in robes with a shod quarterstaff and empty mug to their name. There's a lot of possibilities to defy old stereotypes and allow new ways to kick ass with Ki.

Nope! There are very few truly suited-to-the-monk-class magic items in the game, so you're probably heading into the realm of homebrewed items. Let's dive into the list:

Common Magic Items

Monks need a lot of consumables. Their smaller hit die makes them a bit squishier than any other front-line fighter. Potions and common attunable magic items are great for a monk in the first few levels. Here's a list to consider:

Potions of Healing: Vital for keeping your monk alive in combat. Other consumables: You might have a higher limit on healing potions, given your monk's mobility could likely take you out of healing range. Common magic trinkets: Something that adds flavor to the character's story and could possibly evolve into other items over time.

Uncommon Magic Items

By around 4-6th level, you can think about introducing magic weapons into the party. Monks can suffer more than others if they roll badly for initiative. Here are a few options:

Javelin of Lightning: Useful for monks due to its increased mobility and improved line attacks. Weapon of Warning: Gives advantage on initiative, which can be crucial for monks. Luckstone: Always helpful for improving luck in combat. Cloak of Protection: Especially useful if they are getting hit too often. Better versions of consumable items: Potions, restorative ointments, 'tiger balm' feel more true to the monk's lifestyle.

Rare Magic Items

At this point, monks have evasion, and they usually don't need to concentrate on spells. Here are some useful rare items:

Bracers of Defense: Grants 2 AC, a nice improvement for a monk. Ring of Protection: Grants 1 AC or 1 to saves; I favor AC, but all protection is good protection. Handy Haversack: Fits with the monk's lifestyle but remember they likely need to access what they carry quickly. Belt of Giant Strength or Gauntlets of Ogre Power: These can boost Strength scores if your monk relies on Dexterity and needs to make many Athletics checks. Ioun Stones: Can boost a Strength score or ameliorate a weakness, which monks tend to do a lot of. Manual or Tome: Can adjust one stat upward by 2. Monks are very stat-focused, so this is a significant buff.

Very Rare Magic Items and Beyond

High-level monks need more damage, more types of damage. Yes, they can punch ghosts well before this - and they're 'magic weapons' themselves - but bludgeoning damage is still just that. Consider the following for high-level monks:

Staff of Striking: No one can make better use of this than a high-level monk. Bonus Force damage is also a plus. Variations of Ioun Stones: Look for ones that can boost a Strength score or ameliorate a weakness of your monk. Manuscript or Tome: Can adjust one stat upward by 2. This is a significant buff that the player will feel great about but that is not that huge mechanically.

Legendary Magic Items

There are simply no legendary magic items for monks as it stands. However, you can customize something for your game that works. Work with your DM or other players to tailor these items for your monk. If you're actively running or in a campaign at this level of play, you should know your character and their needs well enough to weave in the items you’ve had over the course of that character's career.

Use any of the 'vestige' items with their 'dormant/active/exalted' stages to get inspiration for the custom item for your monk. Working with your DM or players is key in making these items meaningful and unique to your campaign.