Are there any magic items that have particularly good synergy with monks? I am considering higher level treasure options for a group and while Bracers of Defense or a Ring of Protection are nice options, I am wondering if there is something I’ve missed
They’re copyrighted, so I can’t post them, but I bought a third party 5e expansion that has a couple of magic items that can be used by any class but that really enhance a monk’s abilities.
Here is one that I just thought of though. A Potion of Ki that gives the drinker 2 Ki points. If the creature that consumes it isn’t a monk that creature can use them for any of the monk classes abilities that they get at 2nd level that require Ki points while a monk can use them for anything that they normally use Ki points for. Make it last for an hour and it’s probably an uncommon item.
They’re copyrighted, so I can’t post them, but I bought a third party 5e expansion that has a couple of magic items that can be used by any class but that really enhance a monk’s abilities.
Here is one that I just thought of though. A Potion of Ki that gives the drinker 2 Ki points. If the creature that consumes it isn’t a monk that creature can use them for any of the monk classes abilities that they get at 2nd level that require Ki points while a monk can use them for anything that they normally use Ki points for. Make it last for an hour and it’s probably an uncommon item.
That potion I s creative. Maybe renamed Meditation Tea.
Since it's your campaign, you could allow a Sun Blade to be a shortsword. Lightbringer from LMoP is a similar, albeit lesser weapon. Staff of Thunder and Lightning is nice if you want to offer more power.
I was planning to ask my DM if we could work in the Gauntlets of Flaming Fury from the new Baldurs Gate adventure for my Monk. I was hoping to apply the fire damage bonus to the gauntlets themselves as the "one or two melee weapons in your grasp" so they could be applied to martial arts, but that might be kind of playing with the rules. Similarly the Opal of the Ild Rune (Storm King's Thunder) might be interesting if the DM allowed a pair of Gauntlets/Gloves to be counted as the weapon for the enchantment transfer. I guess any flexible sword like the Frost Brand or Flame tongue could be used as a Dagger/Shortsword and count as a monk weapon, but a Spear could be a more unique weapon choice and stand out. Defender as a Shortsword could be good to help the Monks fairly limited AC options and functions well enough as a weapon too
On a more mundane note, I was considering the Bracer of Flying Daggers from Waterdeep as my main ranged option on my Monk has been thrown Daggers anyway. Less having to keep track of fairly expensive Ammo would be nice.
Other than that, it would probably be a decent idea to try to fit the theme of the Monk or work on their abilities that benefit the party. I was looking at a Cloak/boots of Elvenkind as my Monk is the only decent sneaker in my current party, but also the Gloves of Thievery and the Cloak of the Bat for more RP focused items
Since it's your campaign, you could allow a Sun Blade to be a shortsword. Lightbringer from LMoP is a similar, albeit lesser weapon. Staff of Thunder and Lightning is nice if you want to offer more power.
The Cloak of Displacement would be awesome on a monk. And the Sun Blade is a good suggestion. I was planning on introducing one of those and letting the group pick who gets it.
Winged boots are good, but would have limited use in the current setting. Ioun stone is an interesting idea and may be fun to play around with given the number that exist.
I was planning to ask my DM if we could work in the Gauntlets of Flaming Fury from the new Baldurs Gate adventure for my Monk. I was hoping to apply the fire damage bonus to the gauntlets themselves as the "one or two melee weapons in your grasp" so they could be applied to martial arts, but that might be kind of playing with the rules. Similarly the Opal of the Ild Rune (Storm King's Thunder) might be interesting if the DM allowed a pair of Gauntlets/Gloves to be counted as the weapon for the enchantment transfer. I guess any flexible sword like the Frost Brand or Flame tongue could be used as a Dagger/Shortsword and count as a monk weapon, but a Spear could be a more unique weapon choice and stand out. Defender as a Shortsword could be good to help the Monks fairly limited AC options and functions well enough as a weapon too
On a more mundane note, I was considering the Bracer of Flying Daggers from Waterdeep as my main ranged option on my Monk has been thrown Daggers anyway. Less having to keep track of fairly expensive Ammo would be nice.
Other than that, it would probably be a decent idea to try to fit the theme of the Monk or work on their abilities that benefit the party. I was looking at a Cloak/boots of Elvenkind as my Monk is the only decent sneaker in my current party, but also the Gloves of Thievery and the Cloak of the Bat for more RP focused items
I agree its playing with the rules. I feel the way it is written means only a weapon held in your hands, not "unarmed" strikes, but the way the effect occurs there is a reasonable argument that the fire damage could be applied to the gauntlets themselves.
Again with the Opal, there is room to argue. In real life a "weapon" is a vague term that applies to any tool that is used to fight, while RAW would imply that it has to be on the D&D weapon list.
Your other suggestions are good but a bit more niche. I will have to see how the monk in question develops before offering something like that.
TLDR: My monk uses two nunchuku of speed, each with their own (extra) enchantment for special (extra) damage. How many attacks per round? Lots. How many die-rolls? ...so many.
Back at about level 6 or 7, my monk's party got to loot the body of a black dragon. Using various bones, scales, etc, each of the party members was permitted to have something useful made (as payment for the quest). I chose nunchaku, expecting one but receiving two (yay!), and each came with a +1 to hit/dmg (yay!!).
A couple of levels later, our party's mage announced he was open for the enchanting of stuff. I chose speed, and in discussion with our DM, got it done.
A couple more levels, another opportunity to add enchantments - this time I chose (randomly) from a short list of cantrips (Acid Splash for one, Thunder...(something) for the other). Each of these enchantments was modified slightly so as to not harm the good guys, or negate point of using it (eg. thunder spell has no knock-back).
So, and I sit to be corrected, each time my monk's turn comes up, he has 10 (ten!!) attack rolls.
Things to look up and/or discuss:
Martial Arts (PH 78)
Two-Weapon Fighting (PH 195)
Interpretation of "Attack Action" and "Bonus Action"
Speed spell (source unknown).
Anyhow, as I'm currently playing it, if every attack hits, the damage rolls are: 10d8+32 +8d6 (Acid) + 8d6 (Thunder). Substantial. When it works. ;)
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Are there any magic items that have particularly good synergy with monks? I am considering higher level treasure options for a group and while Bracers of Defense or a Ring of Protection are nice options, I am wondering if there is something I’ve missed
A player in my campaign uses a Skyblinder staff.
A nice item to get an opponent to go to ground as it were.
They’re copyrighted, so I can’t post them, but I bought a third party 5e expansion that has a couple of magic items that can be used by any class but that really enhance a monk’s abilities.
Here is one that I just thought of though. A Potion of Ki that gives the drinker 2 Ki points. If the creature that consumes it isn’t a monk that creature can use them for any of the monk classes abilities that they get at 2nd level that require Ki points while a monk can use them for anything that they normally use Ki points for. Make it last for an hour and it’s probably an uncommon item.
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That Skyblinder staff is an Awesome suggestion!
That potion I s creative. Maybe renamed Meditation Tea.
Depends on the Monk's subclass honestly.
Kensei would be any magic weapon that isn't a +1/+2/+3 (Flame Tongue) of the top of my head.
Personal picks that haven't been mentioned: winged boots, insignia of claws, several types of ioun stone
In addition to the above suggestions, Cloak of Displacement, Stone of Good Luck (Luckstone) (note the +1 includes initiative!) and Weapon of Warning all work well.
Since it's your campaign, you could allow a Sun Blade to be a shortsword. Lightbringer from LMoP is a similar, albeit lesser weapon. Staff of Thunder and Lightning is nice if you want to offer more power.
I was planning to ask my DM if we could work in the Gauntlets of Flaming Fury from the new Baldurs Gate adventure for my Monk. I was hoping to apply the fire damage bonus to the gauntlets themselves as the "one or two melee weapons in your grasp" so they could be applied to martial arts, but that might be kind of playing with the rules. Similarly the Opal of the Ild Rune (Storm King's Thunder) might be interesting if the DM allowed a pair of Gauntlets/Gloves to be counted as the weapon for the enchantment transfer. I guess any flexible sword like the Frost Brand or Flame tongue could be used as a Dagger/Shortsword and count as a monk weapon, but a Spear could be a more unique weapon choice and stand out. Defender as a Shortsword could be good to help the Monks fairly limited AC options and functions well enough as a weapon too
On a more mundane note, I was considering the Bracer of Flying Daggers from Waterdeep as my main ranged option on my Monk has been thrown Daggers anyway. Less having to keep track of fairly expensive Ammo would be nice.
Other than that, it would probably be a decent idea to try to fit the theme of the Monk or work on their abilities that benefit the party. I was looking at a Cloak/boots of Elvenkind as my Monk is the only decent sneaker in my current party, but also the Gloves of Thievery and the Cloak of the Bat for more RP focused items
The Cloak of Displacement would be awesome on a monk. And the Sun Blade is a good suggestion. I was planning on introducing one of those and letting the group pick who gets it.
Winged boots are good, but would have limited use in the current setting. Ioun stone is an interesting idea and may be fun to play around with given the number that exist.
I agree its playing with the rules. I feel the way it is written means only a weapon held in your hands, not "unarmed" strikes, but the way the effect occurs there is a reasonable argument that the fire damage could be applied to the gauntlets themselves.
Again with the Opal, there is room to argue. In real life a "weapon" is a vague term that applies to any tool that is used to fight, while RAW would imply that it has to be on the D&D weapon list.
Your other suggestions are good but a bit more niche. I will have to see how the monk in question develops before offering something like that.
TLDR: My monk uses two nunchuku of speed, each with their own (extra) enchantment for special (extra) damage. How many attacks per round? Lots. How many die-rolls? ...so many.
Back at about level 6 or 7, my monk's party got to loot the body of a black dragon. Using various bones, scales, etc, each of the party members was permitted to have something useful made (as payment for the quest). I chose nunchaku, expecting one but receiving two (yay!), and each came with a +1 to hit/dmg (yay!!).
A couple of levels later, our party's mage announced he was open for the enchanting of stuff. I chose speed, and in discussion with our DM, got it done.
A couple more levels, another opportunity to add enchantments - this time I chose (randomly) from a short list of cantrips (Acid Splash for one, Thunder...(something) for the other). Each of these enchantments was modified slightly so as to not harm the good guys, or negate point of using it (eg. thunder spell has no knock-back).
So, and I sit to be corrected, each time my monk's turn comes up, he has 10 (ten!!) attack rolls.
Things to look up and/or discuss:
Anyhow, as I'm currently playing it, if every attack hits, the damage rolls are: 10d8+32 +8d6 (Acid) + 8d6 (Thunder). Substantial. When it works. ;)