The 15 Best Magic Items For Clerics In D&D 5e, Ranked

Jul 14, 2023

Dungeons & Dragons clerics have no shortage of options when it comes to choosing magic items to enhance their strengths or shore up their weaknesses.

Clerics are one of D&D 5e's most incredible divine spellcasters. They often get pigeonholed into support roles. Clerics are particularly adept at buffing and healing. However, they also have the tools to deal hefty damage, disable their foes, provide utility out of combat, and far more.

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Clerics are so versatile that they can benefit from almost any of D&D 5e's magic items. However, some stand out above the rest. Some tools and artifacts boost a cleric's power in any regard. Others make up for their weaknesses. Either way, there are magic items that are clearly best for the cleric in D&D 5e.

Updated March 1st by Isaac Williams: With clerics' versatility in D&D 5e, it can be hard to find the perfect magic item. Nonetheless, many of the game's best choices work for the class. This list has been updated with even more of the best magic items for clerics in D&D 5e.

Many clerics wear medium or heavy armor as their defensive equipment of choice. This makes them harder to hit. However, most of these choices impose disadvantage on Stealth checks. This can make the cleric a liability during adventures that require sneaking or infiltration.

Boots of Elvenkind grant advantage on Stealth checks. This can counteract the disadvantage of heavily armored clerics or provide a massive boost for one in lighter armor. Any character benefits from perpetual advantage on Stealth checks. Clerics with disadvantage on Stealth checks especially appreciate it. It can be the difference between a successful infiltration or a vicious fight.

Straight magical weapons and armor are par for the course in most campaigns. They are simple items that can boost a character's power without increasing the complexity. A magical shield is something any cleric can use that provides a substantial bonus to their Armor Class.

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Clerics often find themselves in the thick of the fight. An overall Armor Class bonus that ranges from +3 to +5 can be invaluable. A +3 shield may not be as esoteric as some of D&D 5e's magic items. However, it is still a solid choice that will protect a cleric from countless blows.

Clerics don't lack for combat options. They have spells for almost any situation. A cleric can be built to be effective in melee at range. They can focus on killing enemies, buffing allies, controlling the battlefield, and more. However, clerics specializing in other areas might struggle to deal raw damage.

The Cleric spell list doesn't give many options for dealing lots of damage at range. Even clerics with Domains that give blasting spells might want to conserve resources. The Wand of Magic Missiles lets a character do guaranteed damage at range. Although Magic Missile is a low-damage spell, a cleric can upcast it to deal damage when it counts.

Clerics are the ultimate support class in D&D. Many domains still struggle to keep allies alive through critical hits. Even if they have the healing spells in reserve, it might be too little too late. The Guardian Emblem can help close this gap in the cleric's toolkit.

This small sigil attaches to a shield or a suit of armor. A cleric doesn't even need to hold it in their hands. It can negate three critical hits each day. This is a powerful effect for an uncommon magic item, even at later levels. The Symbol does require attunement, so it has a lot of competition. However, the ability to save an ally from a lethal critical hit can win out over plenty of other options.

Not all clerics belong in the thick of melee combat. Nonetheless, many 5e cleric Domain abilities encourage clerics to fight enemies up close. This can be a difficult balance for clerics to strike. They want to keep their Wisdom high so their spellcasting can be effective. This requires neglecting their strength.

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Gauntlets of Ogre Power increase the wearer's strength to 19 when attuned. This is close to the maximum a character can get without special abilities or magic items. A cleric with 19 Strength can hold their own until the end of the campaign. This frees up their Ability Score Improvements for Wisdom, Constitution, or feats.

Adamantine Armor is a magic item that proves beneficial at any level of play. It can take the form of any medium or heavy armor besides hide. Adamantine Armor has one practical effect. It prevents any Natural 20 rolled for attacks against the character from being a critical hit.

This effect can seem simple. However, it adds up throughout a campaign. A critical hit at the wrong time can be the difference between victory and death. Adamantine Armor will reduce the damage a cleric takes many times over, particularly if they fight in melee. It keeps a cleric alive and conscious to further help their team.

Clerics in D&D, like paladins and druids, get to choose their spells each day from their entire spell list. They don't have to learn specific spells like many arcane casters. This makes them some of the most flexible and versatile characters in the entire game. However, the Necklace of Prayer Beads lets them double down on this.

A Necklace of Prayer Beads has up to six beads on it. Each corresponds to a specific divine spell a character can cast as a bonus action. These include staple options like Cure Wounds and Bless and rarer choices like Branding Smite or Wind Walk. If a cleric has a prayer bead, they can avoid preparing that spell for another option.

The Devotee's Censer is a weapon exclusive to clerics and paladins. It always acts like a holy symbol, letting a cleric cast spells through it. On top of that, attacks with it deal an additional 1d8 radiant damage. This makes it a perfect default weapon for a cleric. It bolsters their combat skills and helps with their spellcasting.

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However, the Devotee's Censer also has an active ability. It can release a cloud of healing mist out to ten feet as a bonus action. The cleric and other creatures in the area regain 1d4 hit points at the start of the cleric's turn. This can only be done once per day. Nonetheless, it can give the entire party staggering amounts of healing at a low cost.

Staffs aren't the most iconic cleric weapons. Nonetheless, several magical staffs can serve double duty as a melee weapon and spellcasting tool. The Staff of Swarming Insects is one such item. These include spellcasting and unique abilities.

The Staff of Swarming Insects lets a character cast Insect Plague. Clerics already get access to this spell, but the staff can save them from having to prepare it. It also gives access to the druid-exclusive Giant Insect. It also lets the user create an area of heavy obscurement. This is a valuable trick some clerics might not be able to do otherwise.

The Mace of Disruption is well-suited to clerics both mechanically and lore-wise. Clerics have the Turn Undead Channel Divinity, specifically designed to eliminate and neutralize the undead. The Mace of Disruption is the perfect companion to this power. It deals an additional 2d6 radiant damage to fiends and undead enemies.

Enemies with 25 hit points or fewer after this damage must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they're destroyed instantly. On a success, they're still frightened for one turn. The Mace of Disruption can get a clutch kill on a dangerous boss or thin the ranks quickly in a fight against the undead.

Spellcasting is a vital part of a D&D cleric's toolkit. Clerics are a full-caster class. This means they get a full array of magic from cantrips to 9th-level spells. Amulet of the Devout is perfect for making a cleric's spells as devastating as possible.

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When worn, the Amulet of the Devout grants a bonus ranging from +1 to +3 to spell attack rolls and the wearer's spell saving throw DC. This lets clerics disable foes more often, deal more damage, and generally be more effective at everything a cleric wants to do. It also grants one free use of a Channel Divinity per adventuring day.

A Mace of Terror doesn't fit the traditional image of a cleric. However, not all clerics have to be benevolent and heroic. Even those who are might appreciate some variety in their methods. The Mace of Terror is darker than many of the cleric's best D&D 5e magic items. It's no less effective for it.

Clerics are very capable of inflicting the Frightened condition, particularly on undead. The Mace of Terror expands this to every enemy type. A cleric wielding it can expend a charge to force every creature of their choice in 30 feet to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they're Frightened for up to a minute. A well-placed Mace of Terror can decimate an enemy's side in battle.

Clerics are more than just healers. Nonetheless, it's one of their most common roles in a party. Clerics get access to some of D&D 5e's best healing spells. They will often take responsibility for keeping their allies alive if the party has no other support characters. However, they might not want to spend all their spell slots on that.

Any cleric concerned about running out of spell slots should pick up a Staff of Healing. It lets them use its charges to cast Cure Wounds, Lesser Restoration, or Mass Cure Wounds. With a Staff of Healing, a cleric can take on a support role at little cost. They can keep allies healthy while using their spell slots on other things.

Clerics are the best characters at bringing back the dead in all D&D 5e. They get access to almost every resurrection spell from Revivify to True Resurrection. However, it isn't enough to have the spells prepared. Spells like Raise Dead have diamonds as their material component. These can be rare or expensive.

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The Staff of Resurrection bypasses this requirement. A cleric can use all its charges to cast Resurrection and bring an ally back to life. This is already one of the best reviving spells in all of D&D. The main cost is the risk of the staff breaking. Aside from that, it can expend a single charge to cast Heal, a powerful support spell.

Artifacts are above D&D's Legendary magic items in their rarity and power. Every one of them has world-changing potential. The Book of Exalted deeds is one of the rarest items a cleric can find. It's a tome that gives divine blessings to any character who reads it and uses their might to do good.

The Book of Exalted deeds boosts a cleric's Wisdom by 2. This can go above the natural ability score cap to 24. On top of that, it empowers all of their spellcasting permanently. Any cleric spell they cast counts as one level higher. They also gain a halo that grants social and combat benefits, alongside random beneficial properties. Few items reward a cleric as much as the Book of Exalted Deeds.

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Jacob Rosenberg is a Gaming Writer for Comic Book Resources. Based in Wesley Chapel, Florida, he is a writer, reader, and game player. Recently graduated with a BA in Writing at The University of Tampa.