What exactly is the player trying to accomplish by choking a creature with their mage hand spell? As Lyxen already pointed out, the spell clearly states that the spectral hand cannot make attacks. However, the hand can manipulate objects.
As a DM, I wouldn't allow the caster to use the hand to harm the creature by trying to choke it (i.e., strangulation), but I could see potentially albeit temporarily distracting a target because the spectral hand suddenly grabs the scarf/necklace/etc. around somebody's neck. No specific harm being done, but the targeted creature might be preoccupied for the moment as they need to loosen the grip from around their neck. Probably not going to be much help in the middle of a battle, but it could make for a good distraction or some other creative moment during gameplay.
After a quick google search, it takes 11psi (pounds per square inch) for 10-20 seconds to block the carotid arteries to cause unconsciousness. Therefore with mage hand’s 10 pound limit it would not be able to. I would let the player try it as an action and give the target a str or dex saving throw and if they fail they would have disadvantage on attack rolls for that round.
After a quick google search, it takes 11psi (pounds per square inch) for 10-20 seconds to block the carotid arteries to cause unconsciousness. Therefore with mage hand’s 10 pound limit it would not be able to. I would let the player try it as an action and give the target a str or dex saving throw and if they fail they would have disadvantage on attack rolls for that round.
10 pounds of weight and 11 psi are two totally different things anyway. And as someone who has choked out countless people (and been choked out as well), it does take a decent amount of force even with a blood choke which actually takes about 6 seconds to fall unconscious. Kinda coincidental that matches the time it takes for a round of combat lol
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A player had this question, was thinking about it. Thoughts?
What exactly is the player trying to accomplish by choking a creature with their mage hand spell? As Lyxen already pointed out, the spell clearly states that the spectral hand cannot make attacks. However, the hand can manipulate objects.
As a DM, I wouldn't allow the caster to use the hand to harm the creature by trying to choke it (i.e., strangulation), but I could see potentially albeit temporarily distracting a target because the spectral hand suddenly grabs the scarf/necklace/etc. around somebody's neck. No specific harm being done, but the targeted creature might be preoccupied for the moment as they need to loosen the grip from around their neck. Probably not going to be much help in the middle of a battle, but it could make for a good distraction or some other creative moment during gameplay.
It can't hold more than 10 lbs so I doubt that it would be able to exert enough force to choke someone.
After a quick google search, it takes 11psi (pounds per square inch) for 10-20 seconds to block the carotid arteries to cause unconsciousness. Therefore with mage hand’s 10 pound limit it would not be able to. I would let the player try it as an action and give the target a str or dex saving throw and if they fail they would have disadvantage on attack rolls for that round.
If it were meant to attack or do damage it would say so.
But that's only as direct application. Dropping a flask of oil or holy water is ok, dropping ball bearings or caltrops also ok.
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Pulling a lever of pressing a button to set off a trap is also okay.
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Maybe to make them gag to throw up the poison.
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10 pounds of weight and 11 psi are two totally different things anyway. And as someone who has choked out countless people (and been choked out as well), it does take a decent amount of force even with a blood choke which actually takes about 6 seconds to fall unconscious. Kinda coincidental that matches the time it takes for a round of combat lol