[RPG] Can Mage Hand administer a healing potion during combat

dnd-5espells

Can the spell Mage Hand be used by a wizard spell caster to administer a potion on an unconscious party member in combat from maximum range (30 ft)? What if the target party member is not visible to you?

You can use your action to control the hand. You can use the hand to
manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or
retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of
a vial
. You can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it. The
hand can’t attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.

It seems a lot of DM's are allowing this. My issue with it, is from a distance of 30ft, how well can you see what is going on to control the hand? Additionally, it seems now I have to determine how the character fell, as the mage hand can lift only 10 lbs (and is carrying a potion), so are we assuming the character is in perfect position with their mouth to the sky?

I notice that the Arcane Trickster seems to have some more abilities with Mage Hand (See related What are the limits of Mage Hand Legerdemain?).

See Related question Can an Unseen Servant administer a potion during combat?.

Best Answer

There are no exact rules for this in the books, so it is ultimately up to your DM to handle the situation, but even then you should consider that:

  • It will take 2 actions, one for summoning Mage Hand, and another to control it and administer the potion.

  • Cirumstances like light obscurement of the target, or being on a rocking boat might call for a spellcasting ability test to succeed. Without line of sight you will not be able to direct the Hand properly. It is more of a tool than a separate entity (follow rules for blindness).

  • Both carrying a potion and tilting someone's head or propping their mouth open should be within the Hand's capabilities. So if there are no complicating circumstances (target lying face down, muscles locked up from paralysis...) it should be ok. Determining these circumstances is up to the DM.