Mastering Mage Hand in Baldur's Gate 3: Shoving, Throwing, Scouting, and More

Pick Up, Throw, & Shove Enemies

One of the standout applications of Mage Hand in Baldur's Gate 3 is its versatility in combat, especially its knack for shoving and picking up enemies. This nifty spell can be strategically summoned next to adversaries positioned near ledges or elemental surfaces, enabling players to execute a powerful shove action. By adeptly positioning the Mage Hand and gauging the blue line indicating the shove's trajectory, one can send foes hurtling into chasms or off precipices with precision.

Additionally, Mage Hand boasts the ability to pick up and hurl foes, though it's worth noting that not all adversaries are susceptible to this maneuver. While some larger foes may resist being lifted without additional enhancements like Enlarge, surprisingly, most medium-sized targets can be thrown a short distance. This presents opportunities to either dispatch enemies outright by leveraging terrain or to tactically reposition them, disrupting their tactics and potentially causing them to collide with other adversaries, resulting in advantageous outcomes.

Scout Ahead Through Small Spaces

Beyond combat scenarios, Mage Hand proves invaluable for scouting, particularly in navigating tight spaces inaccessible to larger characters. Instead of resorting to transforming into diminutive creatures, players can dispatch a Mage Hand to explore narrow crevices, cracks, or burrows, charting paths ahead with ease. The Githyanki-exclusive Invisible Mage Hand, endowed with racial capabilities, excels in this role, evading detection by adversaries unless countered by specialized abilities. During reconnaissance missions, players can uncover potential threats, traps, interactive elements, and suitable entry points for their party, ensuring comprehensive preparation before venturing forth.

Distract Enemies From Targeting Party Members

In the heat of battle, Mage Hand serves a crucial role as a decoy, diverting enemy attention away from vulnerable party members. Despite its frailty, enemies often prioritize attacking the Mage Hand, effectively nullifying their offensive turns. Players can strategically summon the Mage Hand in close proximity to adversaries at the outset of combat, enticing them to engage with it rather than focusing on party members. This tactic not only grants respite to allies but also sets the stage for subsequent maneuvers such as shoving and throwing enemies to gain the upper hand in skirmishes.

Mage Hand Can Activate & Disarm Traps "Safely"

While the capabilities of Mage Hand in Baldur's Gate 3 may pale in comparison to its tabletop counterpart, it remains a valuable asset for stealth-oriented builds, particularly in disarming traps. Although unable to detect traps independently, Mage Hand can attempt to disarm them upon discovery, mitigating potential harm to the party. By positioning the Mage Hand at a safe distance from the trap, players can minimize the risk of collateral damage, even if the attempt proves unsuccessful. This sacrificial tactic becomes particularly advantageous considering that some traps remain inactive after triggering, offsetting the loss of the Mage Hand.

Activate Out-Of-Reach Levers & Environmental Objects

Lastly, Mage Hand proves adept at manipulating environmental elements, albeit with some limitations. While unable to pilfer items, it can activate buttons, levers, and move objects within reach. This functionality extends to shifting explosive barrels for strategic positioning, relocating potions for optimal utilization, and triggering mechanisms that unlock hidden passages or activate environmental hazards. As players traverse confined spaces with Mage Hand, they should remain vigilant for opportunities to interact with such objects, which may unveil hidden paths for exploration or neutralize threats preemptively.

Tags: #Games #Baldur's Gate 3