Artificers and the 'hands' [Archive] - Wizards Community

Artificers and the 'hands' [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ajira2k
05-18-07, 09:16 AM The artificer posed an interesting question recently. Could an artificer theoretically use either Mage Hand or Spectral Hand (via scroll/wand/whatever) to apply infusions from a distance?

If not, is there any written way to do so?
Warforged Goblin
05-18-07, 10:12 AM I'd say any spells that allow you to use a touch spell from afar could be used to apply infusions. So yes to spectral hand, not to mage hand.
Ajira2k
05-18-07, 02:39 PM The connundrum shows up when you consider that touch spells through Spectral Hand is simply releasing the spell; it's still being cast at the caster's position. From what I understand of infusions, the artificer tinkers with the item itself, applying magical effects/properties. Considering that spectral hands are incorporeal, no such tinkering could be performed.
gelalshawr
05-18-07, 04:25 PM that's all flavor and up to the DM, technically, infusions are not spells, so the RAW answer would be no, you can't. But if your DM thinks that it works, then by all means do it. Or, you can research a new spell, or maybe an infusion or a feat or something, that allows you to use infusions at range.
dunkeykong
05-19-07, 02:00 PM that's all flavor and up to the DM, technically, infusions are not spells, so the RAW answer would be no, you can't. But if your DM thinks that it works, then by all means do it. Or, you can research a new spell, or maybe an infusion or a feat or something, that allows you to use infusions at range.

True, their not technically spells, however, they are treated as spells in most respects. Ultimatley, its a DM decision, but I would say yes
Edymnion
05-19-07, 02:18 PM From my understanding of the flavor of infusions, I would say no.
Especially drawing from Keith's novel, the use of an infusion isn't so much just casting magic as it is looking inside of the object and seeing the "web" of it's exhistance, then rearranging those threads to change the properties of the item. Over time, those threads just naturally go back to their original state (aka, the duration of the infusion ends).

This is entirely a houserule on my part, as far as I know, but I require you to be able to physically manipulate whatever you are infusing, even if that means just being able to touch it (like the ground or a wall), as you have to be able to "look inside" it, and you can't do that from across the room.
dunkeykong
05-19-07, 09:46 PM I would imagine it would be a bit more difficult for the Artificer to do, but I would imagine the spell would basically be a conduit for his hands.

I do like the description Keith gives for infusions, it once again proves how great a builder he is.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ajira2k 05-18-07, 09:16 AM	The artificer posed an interesting question recently. Could an artificer theoretically use either Mage Hand or Spectral Hand (via scroll/wand/whatever) to apply infusions from a distance? If not, is there any written way to do so?
Warforged Goblin 05-18-07, 10:12 AM	I'd say any spells that allow you to use a touch spell from afar could be used to apply infusions. So yes to spectral hand, not to mage hand.
Ajira2k 05-18-07, 02:39 PM	The connundrum shows up when you consider that touch spells through Spectral Hand is simply releasing the spell; it's still being cast at the caster's position. From what I understand of infusions, the artificer tinkers with the item itself, applying magical effects/properties. Considering that spectral hands are incorporeal, no such tinkering could be performed.
gelalshawr 05-18-07, 04:25 PM	that's all flavor and up to the DM, technically, infusions are not spells, so the RAW answer would be no, you can't. But if your DM thinks that it works, then by all means do it. Or, you can research a new spell, or maybe an infusion or a feat or something, that allows you to use infusions at range.
dunkeykong 05-19-07, 02:00 PM	that's all flavor and up to the DM, technically, infusions are not spells, so the RAW answer would be no, you can't. But if your DM thinks that it works, then by all means do it. Or, you can research a new spell, or maybe an infusion or a feat or something, that allows you to use infusions at range. True, their not technically spells, however, they are treated as spells in most respects. Ultimatley, its a DM decision, but I would say yes
Edymnion 05-19-07, 02:18 PM	From my understanding of the flavor of infusions, I would say no. Especially drawing from Keith's novel, the use of an infusion isn't so much just casting magic as it is looking inside of the object and seeing the "web" of it's exhistance, then rearranging those threads to change the properties of the item. Over time, those threads just naturally go back to their original state (aka, the duration of the infusion ends). This is entirely a houserule on my part, as far as I know, but I require you to be able to physically manipulate whatever you are infusing, even if that means just being able to touch it (like the ground or a wall), as you have to be able to "look inside" it, and you can't do that from across the room.
dunkeykong 05-19-07, 09:46 PM	I would imagine it would be a bit more difficult for the Artificer to do, but I would imagine the spell would basically be a conduit for his hands. I do like the description Keith gives for infusions, it once again proves how great a builder he is.