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Ioun Stone 5e: All 14 Stones, How They Orbit and What Changed in 2024
An Ioun Stone in 5e is a marble-sized wondrous item that orbits your head and gives a steady benefit while it circles: +2 to an ability score, +1 AC, +1 proficiency bonus, no need to eat, and more. There are 14 types in both the 2014 and 2024 SRDs, from rare (Awareness, Protection, Reserve, Sustenance) through very rare (Absorption and the five ability stones) to legendary (Greater Absorption, Mastery, Regeneration). Every type requires attunement. Tossing a stone into orbit takes an action (a Magic action in 2024). The 2024 rules made orbiting stones impossible to steal and changed Absorption, Greater Absorption, Awareness and Reserve. Verdict: Mastery and the stone for your main ability score earn an attunement slot; Sustenance and Regeneration rarely do.
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Ioun Stone Rules Text
Each SRD prints every stone under one entry. The 2014 card (SRD 5.1) comes first, then the 2024 card (SRD 5.2.1).
An Ioun stone is named after Ioun, a god of knowledge and prophecy revered on some worlds. Many types of Ioun stone exist, each type a distinct combination of shape and color.
When you use an action to toss one of these stones into the air, the stone orbits your head at a distance of 1d3 feet and confers a benefit to you. Thereafter, another creature must use an action to grasp or net the stone to separate it from you, either by making a successful attack roll against AC 24 or a successful DC 24 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. You can use an action to seize and stow the stone, ending its effect.
A stone has AC 24, 10 hit points, and resistance to all damage. It is considered to be an object that is being worn while it orbits your head.
Absorption (Very Rare). While this pale lavender ellipsoid orbits your head, you can use your reaction to cancel a spell of 4th level or lower cast by a creature you can see and targeting only you.
Once the stone has canceled 20 levels of spells, it burns out and turns dull gray, losing its magic. If you are targeted by a spell whose level is higher than the number of spell levels the stone has left, the stone can't cancel it.
Agility (Very Rare). Your Dexterity score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this deep red sphere orbits your head.
Awareness (Rare). You can't be surprised while this dark blue rhomboid orbits your head.
Fortitude (Very Rare). Your Constitution score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this pink rhomboid orbits your head.
Greater Absorption (Legendary). While this marbled lavender and green ellipsoid orbits your head, you can use your reaction to cancel a spell of 8th level or lower cast by a creature you can see and targeting only you.
Once the stone has canceled 50 levels of spells, it burns out and turns dull gray, losing its magic. If you are targeted by a spell whose level is higher than the number of spell levels the stone has left, the stone can't cancel it.
Insight (Very Rare). Your Wisdom score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this incandescent blue sphere orbits your head.
Intellect (Very Rare). Your Intelligence score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this marbled scarlet and blue sphere orbits your head.
Leadership (Very Rare). Your Charisma score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this marbled pink and green sphere orbits your head.
Mastery (Legendary). Your proficiency bonus increases by 1 while this pale green prism orbits your head.
Protection (Rare). You gain a +1 bonus to AC while this dusty rose prism orbits your head.
Regeneration (Legendary). You regain 15 hit points at the end of each hour this pearly white spindle orbits your head, provided that you have at least 1 hit point.
Reserve (Rare). This vibrant purple prism stores spells cast into it, holding them until you use them. The stone can store up to 3 levels worth of spells at a time. When found, it contains 1d4 - 1 levels of stored spells chosen by the GM.
Any creature can cast a spell of 1st through 3rd level into the stone by touching it as the spell is cast. The spell has no effect, other than to be stored in the stone. If the stone can't hold the spell, the spell is expended without effect. The level of the slot used to cast the spell determines how much space it uses.
While this stone orbits your head, you can cast any spell stored in it. The spell uses the slot level, spell save DC, spell attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the original caster, but is otherwise treated as if you cast the spell. The spell cast from the stone is no longer stored in it, freeing up space.
Strength (Very Rare). Your Strength score increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this pale blue rhomboid orbits your head.
Sustenance (Rare). You don't need to eat or drink while this clear spindle orbits your head.
Item text from the SRD 5.1 (2014 rules) by Wizards of the Coast, licensed under CC-BY-4.0.
Roughly marble sized, Ioun Stones are named after Ioun, a god of knowledge and prophecy revered on some worlds. Many types of Ioun Stones exist, each type a distinct combination of shape and color.
When you take a Magic action to toss an Ioun Stone into the air, the stone orbits your head at a distance of 1d3 feet, conferring its benefit to you while doing so. You can have up to three Ioun Stones orbiting your head at the same time.
Each Ioun Stone orbiting your head is considered to be an object you are wearing. The orbiting stone avoids contact with other creatures and objects, adjusting its orbit to avoid collisions and thwarting all attempts by other creatures to attack or snatch it.
As a Utilize action, you can seize and stow any number of Ioun Stones orbiting your head. If your Attunement to an Ioun Stone ends while it's orbiting your head, the stone falls as though you had dropped it.
The type of stone determines its rarity and effects.
Absorption (Very Rare). While this pale lavender ellipsoid orbits your head, you can take a Reaction to cancel a spell of level 4 or lower cast by a creature you can see. A canceled spell has no effect, and any resources used to cast it are wasted. Once the stone has canceled 20 levels of spells, it burns out, turns dull gray, and loses its magic.
Agility (Very Rare). Your Dexterity increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this deep-red sphere orbits your head.
Awareness (Rare). While this dark-blue rhomboid orbits your head, you have Advantage on Initiative rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks.
Fortitude (Very Rare). Your Constitution increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this pink rhomboid orbits your head.
Greater Absorption (Legendary). While this marbled lavender and green ellipsoid orbits your head, you can take a Reaction to cancel a spell of level 8 or lower cast by a creature you can see. A canceled spell has no effect, and any resources used to cast it are wasted. Once the stone has canceled 20 levels of spells, it burns out, turns dull gray, and loses its magic.
Insight (Very Rare). Your Wisdom increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this incandescent blue sphere orbits your head.
Intellect (Very Rare). Your Intelligence increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this marbled scarlet and blue sphere orbits your head.
Leadership (Very Rare). Your Charisma increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this marbled pink and green sphere orbits your head.
Mastery (Legendary). Your Proficiency Bonus increases by 1 while this pale green prism orbits your head.
Protection (Rare). You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class while this dusty-rose prism orbits your head.
Regeneration (Legendary). You regain 15 Hit Points at the end of each hour this pearly white spindle orbits your head if you have at least 1 Hit Point.
Reserve (Rare). This vibrant purple prism stores spells cast into it, holding them until you use them. The stone can store up to 4 levels of spells at a time. When found, it contains 1d4 levels of stored spells chosen by the GM.
Any creature can cast a spell of level 1 through 4 into the stone by touching it as the spell is cast. The spell has no effect, other than to be stored in the stone. If the stone can't hold the spell, the spell is expended without effect. The level of the slot used to cast the spell determines how much space it uses.
While this stone orbits your head, you can cast any spell stored in it. The spell uses the slot level, spell save DC, spell attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the original caster but is otherwise treated as if you cast the spell. The spell cast from the stone is no longer stored in it, freeing up space.
Strength (Very Rare). Your Strength increases by 2, to a maximum of 20, while this pale blue rhomboid orbits your head.
Sustenance (Rare). You don't need to eat or drink while this clear spindle orbits your head.
Item text from the SRD 5.2.1 (2024 rules) by Wizards of the Coast, licensed under CC-BY-4.0.
How Ioun Stones Work
Putting a stone in orbit
Attune to the stone (a short rest focused on it), then toss it into the air as an action (2014) or a Magic action (2024). It circles your head 1d3 feet away and works while it orbits. Each stone needs its own toss, so three stones take three turns in combat; launch them before the fight. An orbiting stone counts as an object you are wearing, so effects that only hit unattended objects leave it alone.
How many stones you can have
The 2024 text caps it at three orbiting stones. The 2014 text sets no number, but every stone needs attunement and you can attune to only three items, so the cap is three either way, with no other attuned items. Both SRDs bar attuning to more than one copy of an item. Each type has its own rarity and effect, so an Agility stone and a Strength stone are different items and can orbit together; two Agility stones are two copies, and only one can be attuned.
Can someone steal an orbiting stone?
•2014: yes. Another creature takes an action to grab or net it, with an attack roll against AC 24 or a DC 24 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. The stone has AC 24, 10 hit points and resistance to all damage, so it can also be destroyed. A monster with +10 to hit succeeds on a 14 or higher: 35%.
•2024: no. The stone avoids contact with creatures and objects and thwarts every attempt to attack or snatch it.
Putting stones away
In 2014, seizing and stowing one stone takes an action. In 2024, one Utilize action stows any number of them. If your attunement ends while a stone orbits, the 2024 stone falls as though you dropped it; the 2014 text doesn't say, but an unattuned stone grants nothing either way.
Every Ioun Stone Type
Stone
Rarity
Look
Effect (2014)
2024 change
Absorption
Very rare
Pale lavender ellipsoid
Reaction: cancel a spell of level 4 or lower that targets only you; 20 levels total
Any spell of level 4 or lower cast by a creature you can see
Agility
Very rare
Deep red sphere
Dexterity +2, max 20
None
Awareness
Rare
Dark blue rhomboid
You can't be surprised
Advantage on Initiative and Wisdom (Perception)
Fortitude
Very rare
Pink rhomboid
Constitution +2, max 20
None
Greater Absorption
Legendary
Marbled lavender and green ellipsoid
As Absorption, level 8 or lower; 50 levels total
Any spell by a creature you can see; 20 levels total
Insight
Very rare
Incandescent blue sphere
Wisdom +2, max 20
None
Intellect
Very rare
Marbled scarlet and blue sphere
Intelligence +2, max 20
None
Leadership
Very rare
Marbled pink and green sphere
Charisma +2, max 20
None
Mastery
Legendary
Pale green prism
Proficiency bonus +1
None
Protection
Rare
Dusty rose prism
+1 AC
None
Regeneration
Legendary
Pearly white spindle
Regain 15 HP at the end of each hour, if you have at least 1 HP
None
Reserve
Rare
Vibrant purple prism
Stores up to 3 levels of spells (levels 1-3)
Up to 4 levels of spells (levels 1-4)
Strength
Very rare
Pale blue rhomboid
Strength +2, max 20
None
Sustenance
Rare
Clear spindle
No need to eat or drink
None
Ioun Stone of Mastery (Legendary)
+1 proficiency bonus raises every proficient attack roll, saving throw and skill check, plus your spell attack and spell save DC. A level 5 character goes from +3 to +4, the bonus of a level 9 character. Expertise doubles the bonus, so expert skills gain +2. No other stone touches that many rolls.
Ioun Stone of Awareness (Rare)
In 2014 you can't be surprised, and a surprised creature can't move or act on its first turn or react until that turn ends, so the stone saves you a lost round in every ambush. The 2024 rules shrank surprise to Disadvantage on the Initiative roll, and the 2024 stone gives Advantage on Initiative and Wisdom (Perception) instead. Ambushed in 2024, the two cancel and you roll normally.
The ability stones: Agility, Fortitude, Insight, Intellect, Leadership, Strength
Each adds +2 to one ability score, to a maximum of 20: 16 becomes 18 (+1 modifier), 19 becomes 20, and 20 gets nothing. They're best when a primary score sits at 16 or 18. Fortitude also raises hit points: +1 Constitution modifier is +1 hit point maximum per level.
Absorption and Greater Absorption
Canceling a spell takes your reaction, and each canceled spell spends its level from the stone's budget. A spell cast with a higher slot takes that slot's level in both SRDs, so a Hold Person cast with a 5th-level slot is too high for the regular stone.
•2014: only a spell cast by a creature you can see and targeting only you. Fireball targets a point, so it's out; a single-target Hold Person on you is in. If the spell's level is higher than the levels the stone has left, it can't cancel it.
•2024: any spell of level 4 or lower (8 or lower for Greater) cast by a creature you can see, whoever it targets. You can cancel a Fireball aimed at your friends or an enemy's heal, and the spell's resources are wasted. Greater Absorption burns out after 20 levels instead of 50. The "levels left" clause is gone: the stone can cancel any eligible spell until it has canceled 20 levels, so with 3 levels left it still cancels a level 4 spell and then burns out.
Cantrips are level 0 spells in both SRDs, so they count as spells "of level 4 or lower" and the stone can cancel them. Each spends 0 of the budget. The real limit is your one reaction per round.
Ioun Stone of Reserve
Anyone touching the prism can cast a spell into it. It holds 3 levels in 2014 (spells of level 1-3, found with 1d4 − 1 levels) and 4 in 2024 (level 1-4, found with 1d4). You cast a stored spell with the original caster's slot level, save DC, attack bonus and ability; both SRDs say an item's spell uses its normal casting time and needs concentration if the spell does. It's a smaller Ring of Spell Storing (5 levels), good for a fighter carrying a cleric's Cure Wounds or a wizard's Shield.
Regeneration, Protection and Sustenance
Regeneration heals 15 hit points at the end of each hour (360 a day), nothing in a fight and nothing at 0 hit points; a short rest with Hit Dice covers much of it. Protection is +1 AC; an uncommon Cloak of Protection adds +1 to saves too. Sustenance removes food and water, not breathing or sleep.
Ioun Stone: 2014 vs 2024
2014 (SRD 5.1)
2024 (SRD 5.2.1)
Rarity / attunement
By type, all require attunement
Same
Putting a stone in orbit
An action
A Magic action
Stones at once
No stated cap (attunement limits you to 3)
Up to three
Stealing or breaking an orbiting stone
Attack vs AC 24 or DC 24 Acrobatics; stone has 10 HP
Impossible
Stowing
An action per stone
One Utilize action for any number
Attunement ends mid-orbit
Not covered
Stone falls
Absorption
Spells that target only you
Any spell cast by a creature you can see
Greater Absorption budget
50 levels
20 levels
Awareness
Can't be surprised
Advantage on Initiative and Perception
Reserve
3 levels, spells 1-3, found with 1d4 − 1
4 levels, spells 1-4, found with 1d4
Value
No prices in the SRD
Rare 4,000 GP, very rare 40,000 GP, legendary 200,000 GP
At the table: 2024 stones can't be lost mid-fight, 2024 Absorption protects the whole party but Greater Absorption runs dry 30 levels sooner, and Awareness becomes an initiative and Perception item because surprise itself got weaker.
Which Ioun Stone Is Worth It?
Each stone takes one of three attunement slots. Ranked for most characters:
•Mastery. +1 to every proficient attack, save, check and DC.
•The ability stone for your main score at 16 or 18: a wizard's Intellect stone is +1 spell attack and DC.
•Absorption, especially in 2024. Twenty levels is five level 4 spells, more if you spend it on lower ones.
•Awareness, strongest in 2014 for whoever keeps getting ambushed.
•Reserve, if a party caster will keep it filled.
•Protection, Regeneration, Sustenance. Cheaper items or rests do these jobs.
The trap: ability stones do nothing at 20. A Belt of Giant Strength sets Strength to a fixed score instead, which suits a character already at the cap.
Ioun Stones for DMs
Placement. Pick the type rather than rolling; the range runs from rare to legendary. A rare Awareness stone fits a mid-level hoard. Mastery and Regeneration belong at the end of a long arc.
What they change. Ability stones bring a main score to 20 early, which is +1 to hit and to save DCs. 2024 Absorption can cancel a boss's spells of level 4 or lower, cantrips included; give caster villains higher-level spells or a second caster.
Pricing. 2024 SRD values: rare 4,000 GP, very rare 40,000 GP, legendary 200,000 GP; the 2014 SRD has none. The magic item rarity calculator helps place them, and the magic item generator can invent a stone's history.
Edge cases. In 2014, decide in advance whether monsters will try to snatch stones. It's legal, and a Mastery stone in an enemy's hand changes the fight. Track the Absorption budget on the character sheet; the stone just turns dull gray when it's spent.
Hooks.
•A sage keeps three dull gray stones orbiting her head, long burned out, and pays well for live ones.
•A Reserve stone turns up already holding spells. Nobody knows which until someone casts from it.
How many Absorption levels are left is easy to lose between sessions. Loreify records the game and keeps the recap, loot included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ioun Stones can you have at once?
Three. The 2024 text allows up to three orbiting stones; the 2014 text sets no cap, but every stone needs attunement and the attunement limit is three items.
Do Ioun Stones require attunement?
Yes. Every type of Ioun Stone requires attunement in both the 2014 and 2024 rules.
Can an Ioun Stone be stolen?
In 2014, yes: a creature can use an action to grab it with an attack against AC 24 or a DC 24 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. In 2024, no: an orbiting stone thwarts all attempts to attack or snatch it.
What does the Ioun Stone of Mastery do?
It raises your proficiency bonus by 1 while it orbits, improving every proficient attack, save, skill check and your spell save DC. It's legendary and requires attunement.
How much is an Ioun Stone worth?
Under the 2024 SRD, 4,000 GP for a rare stone, 40,000 GP for very rare and 200,000 GP for legendary. The 2014 SRD gives no prices for magic items.
Can an Ioun Stone of Absorption cancel cantrips?
Yes. Cantrips are level 0 spells, so they fall under "level 4 or lower," and canceling one spends 0 of the stone's 20 levels. In 2014 the cantrip must target only you; in 2024 any creature you can see casting it is enough.
Item text: System Reference Document 5.1 (2014) and 5.2.1 (2024), Wizards of the Coast, CC-BY-4.0. Analysis, rulings and ideas are Loreify's own.
This page includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Loreify is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast.