Scanlan’s Mysterious Hand: Unraveling the Magic Behind the Purple Fist

Scanlan Shorthalt, the flamboyant gnome bard of Vox Machina, is renowned for his theatrical flair and potent magic. Among his arsenal of spells, one stands out – the iconic purple hand he often summons. So, what spell is Scanlan’s hand, exactly? The answer is Bigby’s Hand, though often referred to as Scanlan’s Hand due to its customized appearance and frequent use by him. In the context of Critical Role and The Legend of Vox Machina, this spell has been modified for narrative and visual purposes, showcasing a purple hue instead of the typical translucent force, but the core mechanics remain the same. Let’s dive deeper into the nature of this spell, its mechanics, and the variations seen in Scanlan’s usage.

The Foundation: Bigby’s Hand in D&D

The Core Mechanics

Bigby’s Hand is a powerful evocation spell found in the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons (5e). It allows the caster to conjure a Large hand of force in an unoccupied space within range. This hand can be controlled by the caster, mimicking the movements of their own hand and performing a variety of actions. The spell is not inherently a damage dealing spell, but through its actions, it can deal damage and provide strategic advantages.

Here’s a brief overview of its key attributes:

• Appearance: Typically visualized as a translucent, spectral hand, though Scanlan’s version is a distinctive purple and appears more solid.
• Movement: The hand moves as directed by the caster, making it a versatile tool.
• Actions: The hand can perform several actions such as:
  • Clenched Fist: Making a melee spell attack.
  • Forceful Hand: Pushing a creature away.
  • Grasping Hand: Grappling a creature.
  • Interposing Hand: Blocking attacks and creating a shield.
• Defenses: The hand has its own AC (Armor Class) of 20 and hit points equal to the caster’s hit point maximum. If the hand drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends.
• Strength: The hand has a Strength score of 26 (+8), making it a formidable force in combat.
• Dexterity: The hand has a Dexterity of 10 (+0)

Why It’s Scanlan’s Signature Spell

While Bigby’s Hand is available to other classes, it became a signature move for Scanlan due to a combination of factors:

• Frequent Use: Scanlan frequently utilizes Bigby’s Hand, both in and out of combat, making it a central part of his repertoire.
• Customization: The purple hue sets it apart from the standard visualization, making it a memorable and unique element of his character.
• Tactical Use: Scanlan uses the hand creatively for defense, offense, and as an utility tool enhancing both his capabilities as a bard and overall combat strategy of Vox Machina.

Scanlan’s Unique Variations

Purple Hue

The most significant difference between the standard Bigby’s Hand and Scanlan’s is the color. Scanlan’s hand is a vibrant purple, which adds a distinctive visual flair to the spell and makes it immediately recognizable. This unique characteristic is likely a creative choice for visual distinction and adds to the showmanship of Scanlan’s character.

Hand Cone of Clarity

Scanlan also possesses a custom item called the Hand Cone of Clarity, a magical cone created by Tiberius Stormwind. This cone, when used with Bigby’s Hand or other spells or bardic abilities, increases the spell DC by 1, making it harder for enemies to resist his magical effects. The Hand Cone enhances the strategic importance of Bigby’s Hand, making it an even more formidable spell.

Themed Reskin: Cat’s Ire

Interestingly, Caleb Widogast from Critical Role also uses a reskinned version of Bigby’s Hand known as Cat’s Ire. Instead of a hand, Caleb’s summons a giant tabby cat paw, demonstrating that the fundamental mechanics of the spell can be adapted to fit different characters and themes while still retaining its mechanical foundation.

The Versatility of Bigby’s Hand

Bigby’s Hand, especially in Scanlan’s hands, demonstrates incredible versatility. It is not simply an offensive tool but serves a wide range of tactical and strategic purposes.

• Combat: The hand can be used to attack enemies, grapple foes, or shove opponents into unfavorable positions. It has a respectable Strength score and the ability to make melee attacks.
• Defense: The hand can be used to block attacks, interpose itself between the caster and danger, and act as a mobile shield.
• Utility: It can be used to manipulate objects, hold open doors, or perform tasks that would be difficult for the caster alone.
• Distraction: The visual spectacle of the hand is a great way to distract and confuse enemies, granting an edge in combat.
• Protection: The hand’s high AC and large pool of health points make it a great protector of the casters and their teammates.

Bigby’s Hand in the Lore

It’s crucial to note that in the world of D&D and Critical Role, magic is often malleable and can be adapted to suit a character’s unique style and creativity. Scanlan’s purple version of Bigby’s Hand and Caleb’s Cat’s Ire are excellent examples of this. These variations showcase the creativity in how spells can be implemented while adhering to the basic framework of the game.

While the spell itself remains fundamentally the same as Bigby’s Hand, Scanlan’s rendition has become iconic due to its unique appearance, strategic usage, and role in defining his character. The combination of creative use, a distinctive visual, and enhanced power makes Scanlan’s Hand a memorable aspect of Critical Role lore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Scanlan’s hand and related topics, providing additional insights for fans:

1. Is Bigby’s Hand a sorcerer spell? No, Bigby’s Hand is not on the standard sorcerer spell list. It is primarily a wizard spell, although bards, like Scanlan, can access it through various means such as magical secrets or through homebrew implementations.
2. What is the Hand Cone of Clarity? The Hand Cone of Clarity is a custom wondrous item created for Scanlan by Tiberius Stormwind. When spells or bardic abilities are cast through the Hand Cone, it increases the spell DC by 1.
3. What are the stats of Bigby’s Hand? The hand has an AC of 20, hit points equal to the caster’s hit point maximum, a Strength of 26 (+8), and a Dexterity of 10 (+0).
4. How does Bigby’s Hand deal damage? The hand can make melee spell attacks, deal damage with its actions such as “Clenched Fist” or by pushing opponents into damaging obstacles.
5. What is Caleb’s cat paw spell? Caleb’s cat paw spell is a reskinned version of Bigby’s Hand called Cat’s Ire. It functions mechanically the same as Bigby’s Hand, but appears as a large tabby cat paw.
6. Why is Scanlan’s Bigby’s Hand purple? The purple hue is a creative visual modification, adding a distinctive touch that makes it a signature spell for Scanlan. It helps him stand out.
7. How does Scanlan use Bigby’s Hand? Scanlan uses it for a variety of purposes, including attacking, defending, grappling enemies, manipulating objects, and sometimes to just make a statement.
8. Does Bigby’s Hand move? Yes, the hand can be moved and controlled by the caster as a bonus action.
9. What happens if Bigby’s Hand drops to 0 hit points? If the hand is reduced to 0 hit points, the spell ends, and the hand disappears.
10. What other spells does Scanlan frequently use? Aside from Bigby’s Hand, Scanlan frequently uses Dimension Door and Vicious Mockery.
11. What is Scanlan’s Charisma score? Scanlan has a Charisma score of 22, due to reading a powerful book in the Feywild. This score makes him a formidable caster with high spell save DCs and bonus to skills.
12. What kind of bard is Scanlan? Scanlan Shorthalt is a gnome bard, known for his flamboyance and musical prowess. He has incredible skill in Persuasion, Performance, Deception, and Intimidation, due to his high Charisma.
13. How did Scanlan get his powers? Scanlan’s power comes from his innate bardic abilities and his musical talents. His spells are fueled by his artistic expression.
14. What is the Poop of Scrying? A Potion of Scrying is an item created for Scanlan that allows him to scry on targets using his excrement after consuming the potion. The excrement turns glowing blue and acts as a scrying sensor.
15. How does Scanlan Shapeshift? Scanlan learns to shapeshift using a scroll he obtained from the dragon Brimsythe, which allows him to cast the Polymorph spell.