Uses for Mage Hand

[galaras]

I've tried using this cantrip a few times in different situations: picking up an item out of reach, stealing, activating levels or buttons, using lockpicks, but none of it works.

Am I doing something, or is it just not used in ways I am used to when playing tabletop D&D?

[Cur]

It's functionality is definitely weird but I've found a few uses for it.

Mage hand doesn't activate Torch Stalk or Bibberbang in the Underdark. You can "move" items with it by dragging them or throwing them. It's a great scout that can trigger ambushes without surprising your party.

You're right it doesn't have nearly the same amount of utility as the tabletop game.

[Garviel Loken]

I used it twice in the whole game.

[Hex]

You can get some stuff open with it by casting it behind a portcullis or across a chasm. It has uses.

[Huey]

I've used it many, many times. I don't understand why I keep seeing this topic brought up. There are many creative ways you can use it.

[Bubsy]

I was wondering the same thing. Every time I try and use it for something out of reach it just poofs faster than I was done with it or only to find out the idea I had does not work.

I think the ambush idea was the best option I didn’t think to try yet.

[Hex]

Originally posted by Bubsy:

I was wondering the same thing. Every time I try and use it for something out of reach it just poofs faster than I was done with it or only to find out the idea I had does not work.

I think the ambush idea was the best option I didn’t think to try yet.

You can use it in turn-based mode and get way more out of it.

[Garviel Loken]

Originally posted by Huey:

I've used it many, many times. I don't understand why I keep seeing this topic brought up. There are many creative ways you can use it.

What did you do? I only used it to pull some switches and swat coins off of a shelf. And occasionally pull agro.

[Ar Murazor]

You can throw tomatoes with it.
Potatoes too...

But the most important... You have a third arm to push dwarves and goblins in the lava.

[Bamsmacked]

I used it in the Witches liar moving barrels over the gas vent

[Garviel Loken]

Originally posted by Ar Murazor:

You can throw tomatoes with it.
Potatoes too.

Apples?

[Bubsy]

Originally posted by Hex:

Originally posted by Bubsy:

I was wondering the same thing. Every time I try and use it for something out of reach it just poofs faster than I was done with it or only to find out the idea I had does not work.

I think the ambush idea was the best option I didn’t think to try yet.

You can use it in turn-based mode and get way more out of it.

Thank you I will try that next time

[Huey]

There are many holes and tunnels you can use the hand with. There are traps you can activate and items you can throw to party members. There are buttons and levers you can manipulate, despite what OP says - on two occasions in the underdark I used the hand to pull levers.

[BigAlzBub]

It isn't a hugely useful spell, but it does have some uses.
If you drop consumables on the floor it can throw them at your characters or enemies.
In the Grymforge there is a door at the end of a walk way with an unpickable lock, if you summon the hand on the other side of the grate, you can have it press the button which opens the gate.
In the underdark there is a Dwarf surrounded by Bibberbang sac, you can have the hand move to his pack and then move/throw it to him, also if you are quick enough, you can have it move over to the far side and retrieve the Nobelstalk, which is well worth doing.
In the burning inn you can go up stair save Benryn, and then send the hand back in to fetch the chests through the fire, although it might take a few casts (which require short rests) to get everything.
In the Hag lair, you can use the hand to move light objects like baskets onto the gas vents to block them.
In combat, if someone is on the edge of a ledge, you can try for a cheeky push, it hardly ever works, but even with a low chance, sometimes it will work and falling can cause significant damage.
If nothing else, the hand is an extra target on the battle field, which can soak up a blow which might have been meant for you.

[Donald j. Trump]

Originally posted by Huey:

I've used it many, many times. I don't understand why I keep seeing this topic brought up. There are many creative ways you can use it.

Ok, what have you used it for many times?

[galaras]

Okay. Thank you. I will try those and see if I get better results.

The times I have tried to use it, it was just click, or double click to confirm, and nothing happens.

I figured this was a topic that has already been brought up and discussed, but I did not find it when I searched for "mage hand".