Amulet of the Devout in DnD 5e for Clerics and Paladins

Last Updated on January 22, 2023

What Is an Amulet of the Devout in DnD 5e?

An Amulet of the Devout is a magical holy symbol for clerics and paladins in 5e. In addition to the normal use of a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus, this item adds a bonus to spell attack rolls and your spell save DC. It also allows you to use your Channel Divinity feature more frequently.

Amulet of the Devout

Wondrous Item, varies (requires attunement by a cleric or paladin)

This amulet bears the symbol of a deity inlaid with precious stones or metals. While you wear the holy symbol, you gain a bonus to spell attack rolls and the saving throw DCs of your spells. The bonus is determined by the amulet’s rarity.

While you wear this amulet, you can use your Channel Divinity feature without expending one of the feature’s uses. Once this property is used, it can’t be used again until the next dawn.

While this item does not specifically state its ability to be used as a spellcasting focus, we know that it can be since it does state it is a holy symbol. Both classes state the following: “You can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus for your (respective class) spells.”

There is no strict definition for what constitutes a holy symbol in 5e. Since this item refers to itself as a holy symbol in the description, I think it’s safe to say we’re in the right here. Beyond that, we also know this matches the description for many similar items that can be used as spellcasting focuses.

This feature also allows you to use Channel Divinity without expending one of its uses, regaining the ability to do this each dawn. This ability is rather straightforward and simply means you get an extra use of your Channel Divinity feature between long rests.

How Good Is an Amulet of the Devout?

An amulet of the devout is a very useful item for clerics and paladins. This might seem obvious since it is an item unique to these classes, but it offers up a really incredible boost to your potential in these classes.

Both classes get very limited use out of Channel Divinity. It isn’t a feature tied to proficiency bonus or some math related to level. Instead, clerics get a slow increase in uses, eventually being able to use the feature three times between short or long rests. For paladins, it’s even worse, getting only a single use that is regained on either a short or long rest.

Even if you’re a high-level cleric who can use their Channel Divinity feature six times a day (if you get a short rest in), that’s still not that much. It can definitely be enough, but it means making tough decisions about when you’re going to use the ability.

I don’t have to tell you that one-sixth is a pretty big improvement, and that’s what we’re looking at for high-level clerics. If you’re a paladin or a low-level cleric, you’re seeing a 50% increase to your Channel Divinity usage, something you can definitely thank the gods for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Amulet of the Devout Work on All Spells?

Interestingly enough, it does. Typically, a spell like this would provide a bonus to “your (insert class here) spells” or to “spells cast with this item.” The wording provided for this magical item means that it can stack with other items that offer similar bonuses for possibly up to a +6 bonus to spell attacks and saving throw DCs.

Many DMs will rule this as a typo and simply apply the bonus to cleric and paladin spells, but there are, as of yet, no official errata or rule fixes that have been released.

How Much Does an Amulet of the Devout Cost?

The cost of an Amulet of the Devout should depend on its rarity. An Uncommon version could cost anywhere between 50 and 100 gp, a Rare version could cost between 501 and 5,000 gp, and a Very Rare version could cost between 5,001 and 50,000 gp. 

For more information on pricing magic items, check out our Magic Item Price Guide.

Leave a Comment