Not all magic items in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition are equal. One of the clearest examples is that magic items are ranked on their rarity, from Common to Artifacts. The rarest items often have lengthy descriptions full of game-changing effects. However, nearly all item rewards are invaluable regardless of rarity.

In particular, D&D 5e's Uncommon magic items have plenty to offer players. Although they're often loot found and used in the early stages of a campaign, Uncommon items will remain party mainstays through to a campaign's end. Some stand out above others for how invaluable they are.

Updated on February 3rd, 2024 by Louis Kemner: Many players want D&D 5e's best Legendary magic items as soon as possible. However, the lower rarities are invaluable in their own right. This list has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards.

15 Emerald Pen Can Write Sneaky Messages That Hide In Plain Sight

A young DnD wizard surrounded by floating books

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Emerald Pen

Fizban's Treasury Of Dragons pg. 23

Rogue, Wizard

The Emerald Pen is a magic item introduced in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. It has a niche but fun ability that more creative D&D parties are sure to get some use out of. Besides writing without ink, a character holding the Emerald Pen can use it to cast the Illusory Script spell at will.

Illusory Script allows the writer to encode messages so only a few others can read them. This can be used to great effect in a D&D campaign focused on intrigue. Even better, the Emerald Pen doesn't require attunement as a magical item. Most likely, the Emerald Pen will be used by a scholarly wizard character to encode their precious notes while studying the arcane, or a clever rogue might use the Emerald Pen to send covert messages to an ally without worrying about hostile NPCs intercepting and reading it.

14 Any Enhanced Spellcasting Focus Will Make Casters That Much More Potent

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Any Enhanced Spellcasting Focus

Dungeon Master's Guide & Tasha's Cauldron Of Everything

All caster classes

There is no universal spellcasting focus magic item in D&D 5e. Instead, every spellcasting class has its own. They range from the warlock's Rod of the Pact Keeper in the Dungeon Master's Guide to items like the wizard's Arcane Grimoire or the sorcerer's Bloodwell Vial. The Uncommon forms of these items give a +1 to spell attack rolls and saving throw DCs.

This is more significant than a +1 to weapon attacks and damage. Spells can target multiple creatures and have more devastating effects than mere damage. Any increase in saving throw DC increases a spellcaster's chances of taking one or more enemies out of the fight. These tools are some of the best Uncommon magic items in D&D 5e for any spellcaster, though it's such a basic, obvious item, some players might forget to upgrade their spellcasting focus. Players might take it for granted that their wizard or cleric can sling spells, neglecting the fact that a physical item is always involved. It's an example of why players should carefully review every detail of their character sheet and make sure everything is optimized.

13 Gloves Of Missile Snaring Are Ideal For Shutting Down Enemy Archers

The Gloves of Missile Snaring magic item in the DnD 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Gloves Of Missile Snaring

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 172

Fighter, Ranger, Rogue

The Gloves of Missile Snaring is an iconic D&D magic item that has saved many characters' lives. When wearing them, a character can use their reaction to deflect a ranged weapon attack sent their way. It reduces the damage by 1d10 plus a character's Dexterity modifier. This can negate the damage from an arrow or javelin, and even take the bite out of a ballista bolt.

The Gloves of Missile Snaring provide consistent protection from ranged attacks. Even better, they don't require attunement or charges. A D&D character can take this reaction any number of times in an adventuring day. Particularly in adventures against more mundane opponents, they can protect players from hundreds of points of damage. They're one of D&D 5e's best Uncommon magic items for defense. Players should note that the monk class has the Deflect Missiles class feature, making Gloves of Missile Snaring redundant when building powerful monk characters. So, it's usually other martial characters who would want these gloves.

12 Gem Of Brightness Can Blind Enemies With Ease

A DnD sorcerer casting the spell Prismatic Spray

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Gem of Brightness

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 171

Cleric, Wizard, Sorcerer

2:25
Related
10 Best Magic Items In Critical Role
The characters of Critical Role, across their Vox Machina and Mighty Nein campaigns, have used some of the best D&D magical items.

The best Uncommon magic items in D&D serve multiple purposes. Plenty of magic items exist to provide light, but none do it with the versatility of the Gem of Brightness. This small prism has 50 charges and can be used to cast light in a radius slightly greater than that of a torch. However, the Gem of Brightness's usefulness doesn't stop there.

The bearer of the Gem of Brightness can expend charges to make attacks that will blind targets, either one at a time or in a wide cone. Blindness is one of D&D 5e's most devastating status effects, especially against spellcasters. The Gem of Blindness cannot regain charges and will eventually run out. Before then, however, it's invaluable both in and out of combat.

11 Nature's Mantle Boosts The Stealth Of Rangers And Druids

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Nature's Mantle

Tasha's Cauldron Of Everything pg. 133

Ranger, Druid

Nature's Mantle is an item specifically for rangers and druids introduced in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. One of its most notable features improves a character's stealth capabilities. It lets them take the Hide action even if they're being directly observed, as long as they are lightly obscured. They can disappear before a creature's eyes in fog, smoke, or even dim light.

This is invaluable for any character. However, Nature's Mantle has more. It also functions as a spellcasting focus when worn. This is less necessary for druids, who often dedicate a hand to a focus or component pouch. However, it's invaluable for D&D rangers who often dual-wield weapons. It lets them cast without having to fiddle with their gear.

10 Cloak Of Protection Is Ideal "Armor" For Squishy Spellcasters

A Cloak of Protection magic item in the DnD 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Cloak Of Protection

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 159

Sorcerer, Wizard, Warlock, Bard

A Cloak of Protection has a straightforward but very notable effect. It provides a +1 bonus to Armor Class and to all saving throws. Every single D&D 5e character will benefit from being harder to hit and more resistant to spells. In particular, the Cloak of Protection isn't armor, so even spellcasters and other fragile characters can wear it and be that much tougher in combat.

The Cloak of Protection continues to be beneficial throughout an entire D&D 5e campaign, particularly as its Armor Class bonus can stack with improvements from other items. Its general defensive properties make the Cloak of Protection one of the best Uncommon magic items in D&D 5e, and since it's relatively cheap and easy to find, the party might end up having a Cloak of Protection on two or even three characters at once. At higher levels, though, different classes will opt for fancier robes to up their game, such as Robe of the Archmagi at the legendary rarity.

9 Elemental Gems Summon A Meat Shield For Their Users

A group of Fire Elemental Myrmidons in DnD

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Elemental Gem

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 167

Wizard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Bard

The Elemental Gems are a set of Uncommon magic items that offer a wildly powerful effect for their relatively low level. There are four variations, one for each different elemental type: fire, water, air, and earth. When shattered, they summon a D&D elemental of their corresponding kind.

This summoning follows the same rules as the Conjure Elemental spell. This means that the elemental is nominally under the summoner's control. However, if the conjurer loses Concentration, the elemental turns on them. This makes an Elemental Gem a high-risk, high-reward item at lower levels best saved for emergencies. The Elemental Gems are best used during a tough fight if the party needs a disposable monster to serve as a bullet sponge or keep a dangerous enemy busy. It's especially good for squishy casters who need a meat shield to keep the heat off of them.

8 Decanter Of Endless Water Provides Water Whenever It's Needed

A Decanter of Endless Water magic item in the DnD 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Decanter of Endless Water

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 161

Any

Related
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Dungeons & Dragons features a ton of low-level magic items for Dungeon Masters to give their players as early-campaign rewards.

The Decanter of Endless Water is one of the best Uncommon magic items in D&D 5e due to its sheer versatility. This non-attunement item can produce near-infinite amounts of water. When the Decanter of Endless Water is uncorked, it can trickle out in a stream (about one gallon's worth per turn), a fountain (five gallons per turn), or a geyser (generating 30 gallons).

These effects aren't game-changing in their own right. However, they also aren't limited by charges or attunement. The Decanter of Endless Water trivializes one aspect of resource management. Furthermore, canny players can find other uses for that much water. One example is for survival's sake, such as if the party is trekking across a desert.

7 +1 Weapons Provide Decent Stat Boosts And Can Harm Any Foe

A Fighter blocking the way in DnD.

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

+1 Weapon

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 213

Fighter, Barbarian, Rogue, Ranger

Weapons are some of the most prolific magic items in D&D 5e. The game has many swords, daggers, and more with spectacular additional effects. However, a plain +1 weapon is often all a character needs. It doesn't drain life from its enemies or roll extra damage dice — it does what a regular weapon does, but much more effectively.

A +1 weapon is the equivalent of an Ability Score Improvement in a character's primary stat. It also allows a character to exceed the typical caps on attack bonuses and damage. Its most valuable ability is letting a martial player character ignore enemy resistances or immunities to non-physical damage. Although there are more exciting magic weapons, a +1 is reliable for parties at low level, until they are ready for +2 or even +3 weapons later in the campaign.

6 Dust Of Dryness Eliminates Water On Command

The cover art for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh coastal DnD campaign.

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Dust of Dryness

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 166

Any

At higher levels, D&D items' uses become obvious. By contrast, Common and Uncommon items often require some creative thinking. Dust of Dryness can be used to compress a large area of water into a tiny pellet, potentially proving very useful for navigating flooded or swampy regions.

The pellet created by the Dust of Dryness can be shattered later to release the water, a strange but versatile feature for players who like to use their items to solve obscure problems. The Dust also has a much more situational secondary use. It deals high damage to creatures mostly composed of water, such as water elementals.

5 Pipes Of Haunting Scare Enemies To Demoralize Them In Battle

Pipes of Haunting magic item in the DnD 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Pipes Of Haunting

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 185

Bard

D&D has plenty of magic instruments. However, most of them can only be attuned by a bard. The Pipes of Haunting are one of the best non-attunement magic items in D&D 5e. They allow any character proficient with wind instruments to conjure their magic.

Playing the Pipes of Haunting creates a magical effect that frightens those who hear it. Frightening a creature is a powerful effect, as it gives them disadvantage on their attack rolls and ability checks while the source of their fear is present. The DC for the saving throw on this effect is relatively high. Non-hostile creatures in the area can automatically pass the save, adding to the Pipes' benefits.

4 Gauntlets Of Ogre Power Are Great For The Party's Heavy-Hitters

Two armored warriors stand near a decapitated giant in DnD

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Gauntlets of Ogre Power

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 171

Barbarian, Fighter

Related
15 Legendary D&D Magic Items That Won't Break Your Game
There's nothing better than collecting new loot in Dungeons & Dragons, and there are plenty of powerful magic items that still keep the game fair.

The Gauntlets of Ogre Power don't provide a bonus in the conventional sense in D&D 5e. Instead, they set the wearer's Strength score to 19 if their Strength is normally below that. They have the same effect whether the character normally has 8 Strength or 18. This gives them two distinct uses.

Characters can use the Gauntlets of Ogre Power to enhance their Strength until they surpass 19 naturally and move onto a different magic item. Alternatively, a character can accept staying at 19 for the rest of the campaign and focus on other ability scores or feats. The Gauntlets of Ogre Power are one of the best Uncommon magic items in D&D 5e for their character-building potential.

3 Broom Of Flying Grants Extra Mobility To The User

A Broom of Flying magic item from the DnD 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Broom Of Flying

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 156

Wizard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Bard

It cannot be overstated just how important the ability to fly is in D&D. Flying above combat removes the fear spellcasters and other fragile characters have of melee opponents. Most low-level enemies rely on melee attacks. Using this uncommon magic item is a great way to avoid that danger entirely. Or, the flying player character can get a high vantage point and scope out the terrain if climbing something tall, such as a tree, isn't an option. The Broom of Flying is also great in combat against a dragon, just in case that dragon flies out of the player's spell range.

At higher levels, flying becomes a reliable part of most characters' arsenals. A Broom of Flying early on can provide players with far more freedom to bypass obstacles than the DM is used to. A Broom of Flying's limitless amounts of flight per day makes it one of the most versatile, invaluable, and beloved magic items in all D&D 5e.

2 Boots Of Elvenkind Push Rogue Stealth To The Next Level

A rogue stealthing towards an enemy in DnD.

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Boots of Elvenkind

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 155

Rogue

D&D 5e features combat as one of its central mechanics. However, many characters prefer a subtler touch to their problems. The Boots of Elvenkind completely silence the wearer's footsteps and give advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to remain unheard. They're one of the best Uncommon options for stealthy characters in D&D 5e.

Boots of Elvenkind help a character sneak past an enemy emplacement at night, move around unnoticed while invisible, or find new hiding places if the enemy knows where they are. They won't win combats, but not all of D&D 5e's Uncommon magic items are meant to. Instead, they provide an invaluable way to avoid trouble in the first place.

1 Wand Of Magic Missiles Is Great For Dealing Damage While Conserving Spell Slots

A Wand of Magic Missiles magic item in the DnD 5e Dungeon Master's Guide

Item Name

Source

Best Classes/Roles For This Item

Wand of Magic Missiles

Dungeon Master's Guide pg. 211

Wizard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Bard

Wands are invaluable in D&D 5e. They allow characters to cast spells they don't normally have access to, even if they're not spellcasters themselves. Magic Missile is one of D&D 5e's most dependable spells. It cannot miss or be avoided. Only a handful of abilities counteract it. It's one of the few abilities in the game that always deals its damage.

A Wand of Magic Missiles is one of the most valuable wands in D&D. It gives any character a reliable fallback option. It's a great Uncommon D&D 5e magic item for spellcasters who are out of spell slots, melee fighters who lack ranged damage, and any character without good damage options in their own right. More charges can be used to upcast, letting it deal respectable damage from a low level. Put another way, it's a fine endurance-based item for casters who conserve their spell slots during a tough dungeon crawl.

A snapshot of the classic Dungeons and Dragons poster
Dungeons and Dragons

A fantasy roleplaying tabletop game designed for adventure-seekers, the original incarnation of Dungeons & Dragons was created by Gary Gygax in 1974.

Franchise
Dungeons & Dragons
Original Release Date
January 26, 1974
Publisher
Wizards of the Coast , TSR Inc.
Designer
E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson
Player Count
4-8 Players Recommended
Age Recommendation
12+
Length per Game
3 hours +
Expansions
Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition