[RPG] How fast can Mage Hand move an object

movementpathfinder-1espells

The Mage Hand cantrip is described as follows:

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)

Target one non-magical, unattended object weighing up to 5 lbs.

DESCRIPTION

You point your finger at an object and can lift it and move it at will from a distance. As a move action, you can propel the object as far as 15 feet in any direction, though the spell ends if the distance between you and the object ever exceeds the spell's range.

It says you can move an object "as far as 15 feet in any direction", but it doesn't specify how quickly you can cause something to move. I note that the spell does't stipulate the movement takes place over any particular duration, even the duration of the spell. And that makes me wonder.

Q: What do you call a tiny pebble weighing a fraction of a pound, accelerated to sufficiently high velocity over the course of less than 15 feet?

A: A bullet.

What's stopping players from using this spell (an unlimited-use cantrip!) to turn their local environment into an ammo box and wreaking havoc on any encounters they may come across?

Best Answer

2.5 feet per second per move action.

Mage Hand says:

As a move action, you can propel the object as far as 15 feet in any direction

Which means that the object can move as long as you have enough Move Actions to move it. Regardless of how fast you think that move action is, it cannot be longer than the 6 seconds that is the duration of a Combat Round.

So, the more move actions you use, the "faster" the object moves:

  1. You have a Move Action every round.
  2. You can downgrade a Standard Action to a Move Action.
  3. You can use a Hero Point to obtain either a Standard Action or a Move Action.
  4. You can use use the Pathfinder's Chonicler's Inspire Action to obtain another Move Action.
  5. And any other ability that could grant your extra Move (or Standard) Actions.

With 2 move actions, the object moves 30 feet, or 5 feet per second (about 1.524 m/s).

With 3 move actions, the object moves 45 feet, or 7.5 feet per second (about 2.286 m/s).

With 4 move actions, the object moves 60 feet, or 10 feet per second (about 3.048 m/s).

And so on, increasing the speed by roughly 2.5 feet per second (or 0.762 m/s) per Move Action used to move the object.

P.S: No, it's not fast enough to hurt someone. That's what Telekinesis and Telekinetic Projectile are for. If the spell could cause damage, it would say so in its description.