Mastering Mage Hand in Baldur's Gate 3: Top Strategies and Tips

The Mage Hand ability in Baldur's Gate 3 allows players to summon a spectral hand to carry out tasks. Despite being more limited in the game compared to the tabletop Dungeons and Dragons version, Mage Hand remains a highly valuable skill in BG3 for various reasons.

This spectral hand not only serves as a helpful ally in battles, with its own set of unique abilities that can disrupt enemies, but it also enables players to access otherwise inaccessible areas. This guide on Mage Hand provides insights on how to effectively utilize this summon to your benefit in Baldur's Gate 3, whether during combat or exploration.

Mage Hand can be a valuable tool for players in Baldur's Gate 3, allowing for easier exploration and combat. This Conjuration Spell is accessible to classes such as Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Eldritch Knight, and Arcane Trickster. Some classes can even summon an invisible Mage Hand, providing unique advantages for surprise attacks, especially near cliffs. Aside from combat, players can utilize Mage Hand to free allies by manipulating levers or creating distractions.

Pick Up, Throw, & Shove Enemies

Baldurs Gate 3 Mage Hand Throw Rat - Pick Up, Throw, & Shove Enemies

One of the most effective uses of Mage Hand in Baldur's Gate 3 is its ability to push and lift enemies. This spell can be a game-changer in combat situations, allowing you to summon Mage Hand near an enemy positioned close to a ledge or elemental surface, and then utilize the Shove action. It is important to strategically place the Mage Hand and pay attention to the blue line indicating the direction and distance the enemy will be pushed if the Shove is successful. Target a chasm or the edge of a steep drop for maximum impact.

Mage Hand has the ability to pick up and throw enemies, although there are limitations based on the size of the target. While some enemies may be too large to be lifted without additional enhancements such as Enlarge, Mage Hand can surprisingly handle throwing most Medium targets a short distance. This presents an opportunity to use the Shove action to either eliminate enemies by pushing them off cliffs or relocate them to avoid Opportunity Attacks. Consider redirecting the target towards another enemy to potentially cause both to fall prone.

Scout Ahead Through Small Spaces

Baldurs Gate 3 Mage Hand Small Gap - Scout Ahead Through Small Spaces

Another great way to utilize Mage Hand outside of combat is for scouting purposes, especially in areas that are too small for most characters to navigate. Instead of transforming into a tiny creature, you can simply send your Mage Hand to explore and discover where a tunnel, crevice, or other narrow passage may lead.

Distract Enemies From Targeting Party Members

Using the Githyanki-only Invisible Mage Hand racial ability is an excellent option for scouting ahead without being detected by enemies. This allows for a thorough search for potential threats such as traps, interactive objects, and enemy locations. It is also helpful in finding a suitable entrance for the party to enter without alerting the enemies.

Baldurs Gate 3 Mage Hand Combat Distraction - Distract Enemies From Targeting Party Members

In combat, Mage Hand may appear to have limited actions such as Shove, Fly, and Throw. However, one of the most valuable contributions of Mage Hand in combat is its ability to serve as a distraction for the team. Despite its low HP and AC, enemies tend to target Mage Hand instead of party members, essentially wasting their turn even if the Mage Hand gets destroyed easily.

Summon Mage Hand close to enemies at the beginning of combat to divert their attention away from party members. With some luck, the Mage Hand may survive and be utilized to Shove or Throw enemies when needed.

Exercise caution when maneuvering Mage Hand through enemy territory to avoid triggering Opportunity Attacks and being affected by Concentration AoE spells such as Cloud of Daggers.

Mage Hand Can Activate & Disarm Traps "Safely"

Baldurs Gate 3 Mage Hand Disarm Traps Explosion - Mage Hand Can Activate & Disarm Traps "Safely"

While the Baldur's Gate 3 version of Mage Hand may have fewer abilities compared to the tabletop Dungeons and Dragons version, such as pickpocketing and looting, it still maintains its usefulness for stealthy builds. One of its valuable abilities is the capability to Disarm Traps.

Although Mage Hand cannot detect traps on its own, it can still make an attempt to Disarm them once they are found. It is advised to separate the Mage Hand from the party and position it away from the trap. If the Mage Hand fails in its Disarm Trap endeavor, it may trigger the trap and be destroyed, but the party will remain unharmed. Additionally, some traps do not reset, making the sacrifice of the Mage Hand worthwhile.

Activate Out-Of-Reach Levers & Environmental Objects

Baldurs Gate 3 Mage Hand Interactive Objects Traps - Activate Out-Of-Reach Levers & Environmental Objects

The last use for Mage Hand is its ability to manipulate and interact with some environmental objects. This is relatively limited, as the Mage Hand can't loot items, but it is still able to set off buttons and levers and move objects on the ground. Explosive Barrels can be shifted from the corner of the room to the center, Potions placed by a companion can be moved to a more optimal spot for splash effects, and so on. The one thing it can't do is bring out objects from the inventory, they must be placed down by someone else.

Buttons and Levers often reveal hidden doorways to new areas, shortcuts between discovered ones, or otherwise activate something out in the world. Mage Hand can flip these switches and press these buttons like any other companion. When exploring through burrows and other small crevices with your Mage Hand, keep a particular eye out for these devices – oftentimes, they reveal an entrance for the rest of the party, but sometimes they set off traps that weaken (or kill) enemies before they have a chance to draw swords.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive guide to the Mage Hand ability in Baldur's Gate 3, effectively showcasing its various uses in both combat and exploration. It highlights the versatility of Mage Hand, from pushing enemies off ledges to scouting tight spaces and activating traps safely. The detailed explanations and image placeholders enhance the reader's understanding of how to utilize this summon to their advantage.

Overall, the article serves as a valuable resource for players looking to maximize the potential of Mage Hand in Baldur's Gate 3. It effectively conveys the ability's strengths and limitations, empowering players to make informed decisions during gameplay. By providing insights into the creative and strategic use of Mage Hand, the article enhances the overall gaming experience for players.