There's certainly nothing stopping him from doing this, really, even though the spell isn't designed for it.
A dropped object is likely to be judged an improvised weapon with a range increment of 20 feet (so the character is going to be taking a total -4 penalty to hit) that uses a ranged touch attack. A 5lb metal object would be a small one, which does a base of 2d6 damage, but since it's falling less than 30 feet, it will do half damage.
So, improvised range touch attack weapon with a 20 foot range increment doing 1d6 damage, threat range 20, critical multiplier x2. Target is entitled to a DC15 reflex save to take half damage.
|
Do you keep track of weight and encumberance? Spellcasters usually have fairly low STR. Adding another 5 lb. to his load might matter.
@Chemlak, When you mention 20' range increment, do you refer to the metal's vertical displacement from its target, or the metal's horizontal displacement from the caster? I would think the latter, as it would be more difficult to place the metal lump accurately when the target is farther away.
Once the slag of metal is over the target's head and released it makes a ranged touch attack against that target (+0 to hit, 20ft. range, 1d6/x2 damage). Even if it hits, the target is allowed a DC 15 Reflex save to take half damage if aware of the object. You should allow any of several skill checks to determine what your wizard is up to: Sense Motive, Perception, and Spellcraft all spring to mind.
Also keep in mind that if this wizard carries said metal slug with him, getting the item above the target's square may take more than one round. Items moved by mage hand only boast a speed of 15ft per round. Even if the wizard is only five feet from his target it will take two rounds to get the item into position 15ft above the target's head. To pull this off in a single round the wizard would need to be adjacent to the target, and would have to deal with an AoO.
When it's all said and done, this is an extremely inefficient use of a round of combat.
@Chemlak, When you mention 20' range increment, do you refer to the metal's vertical displacement from its target, or the metal's horizontal displacement from the caster? I would think the latter, as it would be more difficult to place the metal lump accurately when the target is farther away.
It's in reference to vertical displacement from the target. The range increment represents the effects of things like wind and the fact that a dropped item is not aimed at a specific target. It's part of the general rules for falling items.
Pretty poor attack for the amount of effort it takes...