Arcane Hand
Level 5 · Evocation
- Concentration
- Damage
- Save
- Attack Roll
- Control
A 5th-level spell in the evocation school, Arcane Hand appears on the sorcerer and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 120 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 1 minute. Material: an eggshell and a glove. Marked concentration. Effect: You create a Large hand of shimmering magical energy in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. At higher levels: The damage of the Clenched Fist increases by 2d8 and the damage of the Grasping Hand increases by 2d6 for each spell slot level above 5.
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- an eggshell and a glove
Description
You create a Large hand of shimmering magical energy in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. The hand lasts for the duration, and it moves at your command, mimicking the movements of your own hand. The hand is an object that has AC 20 and Hit Points equal to your Hit Point maximum. If it drops to 0 Hit Points, the spell ends. The hand doesn't occupy its space. When you cast the spell and as a Bonus Action on your later turns, you can move the hand up to 60 feet and then cause one of the following effects:
The hand strikes a target within 5 feet of it. Make a melee spell attack. On a hit, the target takes 5d8 Force damage. Forceful Hand. The hand attempts to push a Huge or smaller creature within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw, or the hand pushes the target up to 5 feet plus a number of feet equal to five times your spellcasting ability modifier. The hand moves with the target, remaining within 5 feet of it.
The hand attempts to grapple a Huge or smaller creature within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw, or the target has the Grappled condition, with an escape DC equal to your spell save DC. While the hand grapples the target, you can take a Bonus Action to cause the hand to crush it, dealing Bludgeoning damage to the target equal to 4d6 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.
The hand grants you Half Cover against attacks and other effects that originate from its space or that pass through it. In addition, its space counts as Difficult Terrain for your enemies.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Evocation handles every spell that converts magical energy into physical effect at range. The school's signature is area-of-effect damage but it includes single-target rays and bursts too. Arcane Hand sits in Evocation because the spell focuses magical energy into a visible, immediate effect. Slots at level 5 arrive slowly through the campaign; Arcane Hand earns its prep on the days it solves a problem.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Quicken Spell turns an Action into a Bonus Action; if Arcane Hand costs an Action, Quicken opens a two-spell turn. The higher-level scaling on Arcane Hand is described in the spell text; check it before upcasting.
- Wizard: Tier 3 and tier 4 Wizards add 5th-9th level spells to the book — Arcane Hand interacts with those upper-tier picks as part of a full prep loadout. Note that Arcane Hand requires concentration; switching to a second concentration spell ends it.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Arcane Hand
- What level spell is Arcane Hand?
- Arcane Hand sits at level 5 in the Evocation school of magic, prepared by Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What is the range of Arcane Hand?
- Arcane Hand has a range of 120 feet from the caster.
- Is Arcane Hand a concentration spell?
- Arcane Hand runs on concentration for up to 1 minute. The caster can drop it on their next turn or lose it to a failed save after taking damage.
- What components and casting time does Arcane Hand need?
- Arcane Hand is cast with V, S, M. Material component: an eggshell and a glove.
- Can Arcane Hand be upcast?
- Arcane Hand scales when upcast: The damage of the Clenched Fist increases by 2d8 and the damage of the Grasping Hand increases by 2d6 for each spell slot level above 5.