Source
r/dndnext•
Jetbooster

Creative uses of Mage Hand: Cardistry

Question

I've been playing a hustler/conman/high-class layabout rogue, who hung about on his parents money in casino's etc, hustling those less able to keep hold of their coin.

Now he's just hit level 3 and taken Arcane Trickster, and I was wondering if anyone could think of any card tricks, or other parlour game tricks, that would be significantly enhanced by having a third (invisible) hand to perform them with.

  1. Riffle Shuffle into the magehand acting as the table
  2. general cardistry showing off but with 50% more showing off
  3. three way riffle shuffle
  4. impossible angles card throwing/catching (where the mage hand is actually holding+spinning the card the whole time)

Can anyone think of any tricks that are impossible but only 2 hands but doable with 3?

Posted Jun 17, 2021, 6:28 PM UTC

178
Randomd0g•

Put the card in someone's back pocket with an invisible hand. Stay a few feet away from them so they know it couldn't be you, but send the hand with the card between their legs while you distract their eyes with fancy shuffling.

7
Jafroboy•

Something to note is that even with MHL, MH still has vebal and somantic components. So you're going to need a cover for that. Pre-casting might work, but it also has a 1 minute time limit, so that's a significant limitation too. Especially given how long card games go on for.

In a magical world, I'm sure any serious card players would be keeping a very watchful eye out for any magical trickery, and even seeming like you're trying to cast some random spell at a game table is an invitation for everyone to kick your ass.

6
JetboosterOP•

All very good points, but I wasn't planning on using MH to cheat at cards, (he's more than capable of that on his own), merely to show off, more like a magician. The background is merely a reason he would be interested in the flair of cards in the first place. If a magician can't work a bit of verbal and somatic components into his act, then seems a bit of a poor magician

2
Jafroboy•

Well if performance is the goal, v and s would probably enhance it.

2
JetboosterOP•

Exactly!

2
gets_that_reference_•

Good reason to pick up Metamagic adept. Subtle Spell is practically a must have for Arcane Tricksters.

2
FoxInSox2•

Scoop chips from your left while dealing to your right?

5
SemakoBladesinger•

You could pull an ace from your sleeve while both your hands are visibly holding your cards/handling chips.

4