D&D 5E Can you use mage hand on the turn you summon it?

[ECMO3]

It is an action to summon a mage hand and an action to use it. Can I do both of these things on the turn it is summoned or does that need to be spread over 2 turns?

 

[ReshiIRE]

I would say by RAW no. It doesn't mention being able to move the hand when you summon it. Compare this to Bigby's Hand, which states that:

When you cast the spell and as a bonus action on your subsequent turns, you can move the hand up to 60 feet and then cause one of the following effects with it.

This mainly seems to limit Mage Hand's utility in combat.

 

[R_J_K75]

I would say by RAW no.

It would seem that way RAW, but I've always allowed players to cast and use it in the same action. This seems rules as intended but poorly worded maybe? Then again Ive never given a whole lot of thought and just figured thats how it worked. Is that how it worked in previous editions, ICR?

 

[Jmarso]

I concur with no by RAW. Furthermore, it's a cantrip. Let's not be too generous with it's usefulness and utility. Man oh man, but cantrips are a whole different animal now than they were back when they were first introduced in 1E/2E.

 

[R_J_K75]

cantrips are a whole different animal now than they were back when they were first introduced in 1E/2E

I personally dont like any that do damage. Defeats the purpose IMO, but I guess the game has to evolve.

 

[Dausuul]

Of course, it's a non-concentration cantrip with a 1-minute duration. So if you're in a dangerous area and not trying to be stealthy (i.e., you've got some heavily armored folks along), you might as well keep a mage hand up at all times.

 

[aco175]

The arcane trickster has a more powerful mage hand it can use. It has a few cool powers that say the mage can use its bonus action to control the hand for things like pick pockets and open locks, as well as distracting bad guys for advantage. So it would seem that you cannot unless you are an AT.

In my game I would likely let you for general things like cast it and have it carry a torch or pick up something off a table. Maybe not combat related, not sure.

 

[Mort]

It costs an action to cast and it costs an action to control so absolutely not. Unless Arcane Trickster - then yes because controlling it, for you, is a bonus action.

I suppose an Eldritch Knight could also do it at the cost of an action surge, but that seems a bit steep except for exceptional circumstances. I'd probably allow an EK to cast and then control the hand with a bonus action, as part of War Magic - but that's clearly not RAW.

 

[R_J_K75]

as well as distracting bad guys for advantage. So it would seem that you cannot unless you are an AT.

Where does it say you can use it to distract for advantage? I just checked my phb 10th print and I cant find it. As for the bonus action I'd say it would allow you to use it twice if you chose.

 

[ECMO3]

Where does it say you can use it to distract for advantage? I just checked my phb 10th print and I cant find it. As for the bonus action I'd say it would allow you to use it twice if you chose.

PHB page 98. You need to be a 13th level Arcane Trickster to do this though.