Add Summer Fun to Your Next 5E D&D Game with 5 NEW Magic Items

Summer is in full swing, and with more fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons groups getting together in person by the day the phrase “sun’s out, fun’s out” has never been more apt. Going to the beach this past week for an all day event with my own gaming group reminded us how much fun it can be to take a break for a day and get outside. Incorporating seasons is a great way to ground your D&D world. And who doesn’t love a good beach episode now and again? There’s a reason that beach episodes are staples in anime.

Fun in the magical 5E D&D sun

Over the course of our beach day I felt inspiration for enough 5E D&D magic items to keep you cool all summer long. If you like your summers absolutely frigid, check out Treasures of the Tundra. However if you like it hot then here are five new magic items for incorporating summer fun into your 5E D&D games. [NERDITOR’S NOTE: When you sign up for Nerdarchy the Newsletter you’ll receive a few special benefits right off the bat like a free gift as well as $9.99 in store credit you can use for Treasures of the Tundra or whatever you like!]

The first item on our list is a pair of sunglasses. After all, who doesn’t need a pair of shades? These glasses are useful if you’re a drow, kobold or another race dealing with pesky Sunlight Sensitivity. With these glasses everyone can have fun in the sun!

5. Glasses of Sun Sight

Wondrous Item, uncommon

These wire-rimmed glasses possess lenses that magically darken proportionately to the amount of light in the area. While wearing these glasses, you have resistance to radiant damage, you ignore the penalties of Sunlight Sensitivity and you are immune to the blinded condition.

This item opens  doors to the players’ creativity. I like weird magic items that don’t just grant a +1 or some other mechanical bonus. Versatility is fun and with the different sizes offered for this item it’s up to Dungeon Masters how big or small they want to let the players make their inevitable hoard of ice cubes.

4. Box of Ice

Wondrous Item, rare

This portable chest comes in four sizes: Tiny, Small, Medium and Large. No matter the size, the Box of Ice wafts a chilling breeze from within when opened. Liquid placed in the Box of Ice freezes solid upon the lid shutting. By speaking a command word, liquids within a container (such as water) become chilled to a perfectly refreshing temperature. Potions of healing chilled in this way restore the maximum possible hit points for 1d4 hours after removal from the Box of Ice.

After my day at the beach I’ll never again argue with any DM about sand being difficult terrain. Ever. Not only was the sand hard to walk on, but it was hot. Like, really hot. To combat this scenario this pair of magic footwear allows your character to ignore damage as a result of sand, including from walking on it!

3. SANDALS

Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)

The Sand Anchor Next Dimension All-purpose Luxury Shoes (or SANDALS) offer traction on any sand based terrain and beyond. Their techno-planar magic may or may not have been the result of an eccentric artificer’s day at the beach. While wearing this footwear you ignore difficult terrain and you ignore damage as a result of sand. You gain a burrowing speed of 20 feet, as the shoes dimensionally shift earth out of your way with a thought.

Do I even need to mention how necessary sunblock is for a beach day? My spouse uses SPF 100 and still burns with their extremely fair skin. I imagine if you want to make a more potent version of this potion, simply increase the rarity to rare and remove the text about cold damage and water removal.

2. Oil of Sun Blocking

Potion, uncommon

This creamy, pale yellow potion is applied directly onto the skin. A single dose grants you resistance to fire and radiant damage for 8 hours. If you take cold damage or become covered in water or submerged, the Oil of Sun Blocking is rendered inert and must be reapplied.

If you’re familiar with characters like Aquaman, Namor and the like you probably saw this one coming. Honestly, I could absolutely see a triton bequeathing this item to a character after they complete a quest for them. The reason for the Strength bonus to AC is twofold. The idea is in the water you would need Strength to swim out of the way of attacks, while you might actually catch and grab a weapon or deflect a blow from an enemy. It also lets barbarians and other Strength based characters gain a higher AC without dividing ASIs among their Strength, Dexterity and Constitution (in the case of barbarians).

As an avid speedo fan, you also can’t convince me that there aren’t those players who want to wear one of these, even IRL! [NERDITOR’S NOTE: This magic item makes me think of one of Steven’s characters from our Tuesday night campaigns. Nerdarchist Dave guided us through a fantastic Cypher System campaign where Steven’s character shared an affinity for aquatic environments. Check out Moon Rises here.]

1. Scaled Swimwear

Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)

This garment hugs your body like a glove. Composed of magical fish scales, it grants you a swimming speed equal to your walking speed and a bonus to AC equal to your Strength modifier when wearing no other armor or clothing. While wearing the Scaled Swimwear you gain resistance to cold damage and acid damage and you can also breathe water or air.

What do you think?

What other fun ideas do you have for some summer fun in 5E D&D? Which of these items is your favorite and why? We’d love to hear from you in the comments! Make sure to connect with us on Twitter and Facebook. Until next time, stay cool and stay nerdy!

*Featured image — Welcome to the Gylathacean Isles! 5E D&D adventurers earn a vacation to this tropical locale and find fun in the sun. It’s not long before they learn about Wizard’s Wake, an ancient shipwreck tied to a magical disaster. No true fantasy vacation is complete without an excursion into danger to discover arcane secrets and treasure. Wizard’s Wake includes a map and details about the Gylathacean Isles along with the colorful folk who make their home on the sea, plus a one shot adventure to discover the mysteries within the wreckage of an ancient ship. Check it out here.

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