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Mage Hand vs Unseen Servant

Two hands-free utility spells with different durations and capabilities.

Mage Hand

Level
Cantrip
School
Conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
30 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
1 Minute
Concentration
No
Ritual
No
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again. When you cast the spell, 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

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Unseen Servant

Level
1
School
Conjuration
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M
Duration
1 Hour
Concentration
No
Ritual
Yes
Classes
Bard, Warlock, Wizard

This spell creates an Invisible, mindless, shapeless, Medium force that performs simple tasks at your command until the spell ends. The servant springs into existence in an unoccupied space on the ground within range. It has AC 10, 1 Hit Point, and a Strength of 2, and it can't attack. If it drops to 0 Hit Points, the spell ends. Once on each of your turns as a Bonus Action,

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Which one should you pick?

  • Pick Mage Hand: Pick Mage Hand (cantrip) for a 30-ft floating hand that lasts a minute — manipulate light objects.
  • Pick Unseen Servant: Pick Unseen Servant (ritual level 1) for an invisible Medium-strength servant that lasts an hour.
  • Tiebreaker: Unseen Servant is a ritual — free out of combat; Mage Hand is the in-combat picker.

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