Monk Items
Designing items for monks can be tricky, as their natural inclination to simply throw punches tied with their lack of armour means I’ve typically received the most requests for monk items across my time writing homebrew. Here are some new options to hopefully add some new flow to your tables.
Ring of Natural Order
Ring, common
This small silver band vibrates according to the force of will nearby souls emit. Whilst wearing this ring you have a passive intuition informing you to which creature in your sight, if any, has the highest Level/Cr.
If you are a Monk, you may expend 1 Focus point (no action required) to learn the Cr/Level of that creature.
Scarf of Ancestral Warriors
Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement by a monk)
This flowing garment depicts a new battle woven in it’s fabric each dawn, each showcasing a different central warrior. Whilst you are wearing this scarf your body becomes infused with the wisdom of past masters. Your martial arts die increases size by one. (i.e. a 1d6 becomes a 1d8, to a max of 1d12)
Gauntlets of Stalwart Ki
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement by a monk)
These gauntlets are made of cool bronze that’s dotted with Emeralds that softly repel objects while energy flows through them.
While you’re wearing them you may use a Bonus Action to store 2 Focus points inside of them. Stored Focus persists until used and you can spend this stored Focus as normal, however, whilst 2 Focus points are stored the gauntlets they grant the following benefits while worn.
- You gain a +1 bonus to your AC.
- You reduce damage you take by an additional 1d10 using your Deflect Attacks feature.
Gloves of Blazing Ki
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement by a monk)
These gloves are woven from tough auburn thread accented with ruby chain, which shines a brilliant colour while energy flows through them.
While you’re wearing them you may use a Bonus Action to store 2 Focus points inside of them. Stored Focus persists until used and you can spend this stored Focus as normal, however, whilst 2 Focus points are stored the gauntlets they grant the following benefits while worn.
- You deal an additional 1d4 Fire damage with your Unarmed Strikes.
- The gloves shine with Bright Light in a 15-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 15 feet.
Lunar Waltz Earring
Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement by a monk)
This silver earring has a large sapphire embedded within, which somehow seems to avoid eye contact.
Whilst wearing this earring, when you take the Dash action you become ethereal until the end of your turn. Whilst ethereal you can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain, as well as see and affect creatures and objects on the Ethereal Plane. If you end your turn inside an object or creature you take 1d10 force damage and are shunted to the nearest unoccupied space.
Additionally, if you have at least 13 Monk levels, when you are targeted by an attack that does not benefit from Advantage, you can take a Reaction and spend 3 Focus points to cause the attack to automatically miss.
Solar Waltz Earring
Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement by a monk)
This bronze earring has a large amber embedded within, which always seems to catch the sun subtly.
Whilst wearing this earring, when you take the Dash action you begin to generate energy as you move. At the end of your turn, you can release the built up momentum in a violent explosion, dealing 1d10 Fire damage to creatures in a 5 foot wide, 10 foot long Line directly in front of you. This damage is increased by 1d10 for every 30 foot you travelled this turn, to a maximum of 4d10 Fire damage.
Additionally, if you have at least 13 Monk levels, when you successfully redirect an attack back at a creature using your Deflect Attacks feature, you deal an extra 2 Martial Arts die of Fire damage.
Gladewaker
Staff, legendary (requires attunement by a monk)
This 7 foot staff of glass is supernaturally difficult to shatter, once wielded by an ancient wanderer said to have sparred the thunderous eye of disaster, Thurain, to a standstill.
The staff can be wielded as a magic Quarterstaff that grants a +2 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with it. If exposed to the rising sun for 1 minute, or by expending 3 Focus points whilst holding it, the staff stores an illustrious radiant energy within, lasting for 8 hours. Whilst energy is stored within, it grants the following benefits while wielded.
- Attacks made with the staff deal an additional 1d10 Radiant damage.
- You have Advantage on any saving throw you are forced to make by a Dragon.
- The staff radiates Bright Light in a 30 foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet.
- As a Magic action you may extinguish the light in the staff to unleash a torrent of radiant energy. Each creature of your choice within a 30-foot radius of you must succeed a Dexterity saving throw or take 10d8 Radiant damage, or half as much on a success.