- Type
- Ring
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Attunement
- Not required
- Price (2014)
- 101–500 gp (DMG value range)
- Price (2024)
- 400 gp
You have a swimming speed of 40 feet while wearing this ring.
Ring of Swimming 5e magic item
Ring, uncommon · 2024 version below
How the Ring of Swimming plays
While you wear it, you have a swimming speed of 40 feet. It doesn’t need attunement, it has no charges, and it never runs out.
A swimming speed matters more than it sounds. Without one, every foot you swim costs an extra foot of movement, and rough water can call for Strength (Athletics) checks. Underwater, a creature without a swimming speed also has disadvantage on melee weapon attacks unless it’s using a dagger, javelin, shortsword, spear or trident. The ring removes all of that: you swim faster than most people walk, and you fight underwater with your own weapon.
Who should wear it
- Anyone in a sea, river or sunken-dungeon campaign. It’s one of the few permanent swimming speeds in the game.
- The party’s melee fighter before an underwater fight, since it lifts the penalty on their weapon attacks.
- Remember to breathe. The ring doesn’t let you breathe underwater. Pair it with Water Breathing, a Potion of Water Breathing or a Necklace of Adaptation.
Common questions
Does the Ring of Swimming let you breathe underwater?
No. It only gives a 40-foot swimming speed. You still need a way to breathe, like Water Breathing or a Cloak of the Manta Ray.
What does a swimming speed do?
You swim without spending extra movement, move at your swimming speed in water, and usually don’t need Athletics checks to swim. Underwater, you also avoid disadvantage on melee weapon attacks with weapons other than daggers, javelins, shortswords, spears and tridents.
Does the Ring of Swimming require attunement?
No. Anyone can wear it without using an attunement slot.
How much is a Ring of Swimming worth?
It’s uncommon. The Dungeon Master’s Guide puts uncommon items at 101 to 500 gp.
Does it help against being grappled or pulled under?
Not directly. A grapple is escaped with Athletics or Acrobatics, and the ring gives no bonus to either.
Ring of Swimming compared with similar items
| Item | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Cloak of the Manta Ray | Uncommon: breathe underwater and swim at 60 feet with the hood up. Usually the better item, and no attunement either. |
| Gloves of Swimming and Climbing | Uncommon: no extra movement cost for swimming or climbing, and +5 to Athletics for both. Needs attunement. |
| Necklace of Adaptation | Uncommon: breathe in any environment. The perfect partner for the ring. |
| Ring of Water Walking | Uncommon: walk on the surface of water and other liquids instead of swimming in them. |
| Water Breathing | 3rd level spell: ten creatures breathe underwater for 24 hours. |
| Alter Self | 2nd level spell: Aquatic Adaptation gives gills and a swimming speed for up to an hour. |
Ring of Swimming in the 2024 rules
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide revised the magic items, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed:
Same rarity and attunement; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
- Type
- Ring
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Attunement
- Not required
You have a Swim Speed of 40 feet while wearing this ring.
Other uncommon rings
Browse: uncommon magic items · all rings · every magic item