Hello, I am not new to D&D 5e but yet I still never learned about attuning to magic items. So my question is what is attunement and what is the role it has in the game?
Mechanically, it is a process that binds a magic item to a character so it can be used. Most characters can bind only 3 items this way, and not all items require attunement.
Why or what is the role it has in the game? Primarily balance. This way you don't have a character able to have an unlimited number of powerful items they can use. By limiting it, you can (not will) make it easier to create meaningful adventures/encounters. The other part, is so you cannot just hand over (or take) an item around a party to take advantage of its effect. So a rogue attuned to a ring of invisibility couldn't hand it to a wizard in the middle of the fight and have the wizard use it.
There are probably other reasons, but that is the main one that comes to mind.
Thank you for the response, just a follow up question but, How can you attune to items, is there a specific way to attune to items or can you just make it up?
Simply, attunement is a gameplay mechanic to limit potentially strong items. To attune something, you just mess with it for an hour (usually during short or long rest) and "get a feel for it" so to speak.
Hello, I am not new to D&D 5e but yet I still never learned about attuning to magic items. So my question is what is attunement and what is the role it has in the game?
The rule can be found at: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/treasure#Attunement
Mechanically, it is a process that binds a magic item to a character so it can be used. Most characters can bind only 3 items this way, and not all items require attunement.
Why or what is the role it has in the game? Primarily balance. This way you don't have a character able to have an unlimited number of powerful items they can use. By limiting it, you can (not will) make it easier to create meaningful adventures/encounters. The other part, is so you cannot just hand over (or take) an item around a party to take advantage of its effect. So a rogue attuned to a ring of invisibility couldn't hand it to a wizard in the middle of the fight and have the wizard use it.
There are probably other reasons, but that is the main one that comes to mind.
Thank you for the response, just a follow up question but, How can you attune to items, is there a specific way to attune to items or can you just make it up?
The section of the rules that Nthal linked has the answer to that one :)
Well for me it just sends me to the dungeon master's guide in the marketplace and I don't have any money to buy it so.....
Then you'll want to look up the rule in the Basic Rules: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/magic-items#Attunement
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Sorry about that; I almost never look at the SRD version. (thanks Emmber)
But it is word for word the same, so you aren't missing anything.
Simply, attunement is a gameplay mechanic to limit potentially strong items. To attune something, you just mess with it for an hour (usually during short or long rest) and "get a feel for it" so to speak.