[RPG] Activating an Immovable Rod at a distance

dnd-5emagic-items

The Immovable Rod's definition (DMG) says, in part:

This flat iron rod has a button on one end. You can use an action to press the button, which causes the rod to become magically fixed in place. Until you or another creature uses an action to push the button again, the rod doesn't move, even if it is defying gravity.

How might one activate an Immovable Rod at a height? Any spell, class or racial feature, or other effect based in the 5e canon is worth discussing.

The specific height is immaterial. Assume the Rod is on a stick.

Also, is there any RAW reason that attaching a pull string to some sort of hinged push thingee wouldn't work? You know, to push the button when you pull the string?

As a counterexample, what won't work is mage hand, since the spell says it can't activate a magic item. As a GM, I'd disallow it, but I'd be open to arguments for why it would work anyway, although cool as moving and activating a Rod with mage hand would be, the Rule of Cool is insufficient.

And for you law-and-order types, this has nothing to do with breaking into castles. No sir. It's for hanging a pulley to load and unload wagons and ships and such. That's it. Loading and unloading only.

Bonus for a way to activate the rod at a distance using a bonus action or multiple rods on a turn.

Best Answer

Telekinesis, a level 5 spell, says you can manipulate an object. I would think that the example of opening a door is at least as complex as pushing a button on a rod.

You can exert fine control on objects with your telekinetic grip, such as manipulating a simple tool, opening a door or a container, stowing or retrieving an item from an open container, or pouring the contents from a vial.

Also it does not say that you cannot manipulate a magical object. So I think this one is valid.

Unseen Servant, a level 1 spell, should also be able to do it.

The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine.

Again, there is nothing saying that it cannot activate a magical item. (However, it would not be able to read a scroll or drink a potion)

However, you say at a distance and the Unseen Servant needs to be able to reach that location. Some people say the Unseen Servant can hover, others say it cannot.

Ten Foot Poles could also be used to push on a button. You do not specify the distance, but there are no reasons why that would not work. Only it may take a few tries (i.e. Dexterity check on a fairly high DC such as DC 16.)

Missiles could also be thrown at it (rocks, arrows, bolts, etc.) However, that may be quite a feat to hit that tiny little button (although a giant can throw big rocks, he! he!)

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