Unseen Servant shinanigans!

[Fist2Jaw]

Rolling up a crossbow bard and I was wondering what sort of things I could make my Unseen Servant to for trickery, both on and off the battlefield. I know I can make him reload my crossbow for me, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[GM_Beernorg]

The spell description has a very limited list of what a unseen servant is capable of. It does not specifically say it can reload a crossbow, though as a GM I would allow his (remember the spell specifically states mindless) The unseen servant would however be excellent as a distraction, as it can move objects, and can perform simple actions as per the spells description.

[Kelvar Silvermace]

I think it should be able to do anything a level 1 commoner could do. This is one of those spells that I always feel like could be really useful with a sufficiently creative application, but I can never think of how. I'm afraid that may be a reflection on me. ;-)

[Ravingdork]

Off of the top of my head an unseen servant can...

• Reload projectile weapons for you
  
• Provide distractions by moving objects/making noise
  
• Carry a small amount of gear
  
• Flip over a table to provide cover
  
• Scatter caltrops and other hazards
  
• Administer potions
  
• Spring various traps by dragging weights/dummies about
  

Also, here are some threads full of useful ideas:
101 Uses for an Unseen Servant
Unsee Servant, Uses and Limitations
Can an Unseen Servant...

I hope those help!

[Peasant]

Unseen Servant is much like the Prestidigitation cantrip in that you are limited chiefly by your imagination. It is in many ways the same spell with longer range, longer duration and a bit more strength. It loses some versatility, being mostly a workhorse, but gains utility because you aren't constantly occupied controlling it. It also has the limitation of never being allowed to make an attack roll, which was pretty clearly included to limit the ability to do... well, exactly what you want to do. That said, beyond the suggestions in the spell description, it is entirely capable of carrying an unfurled sheet (cover/concealment), probing suspicious cobwebs with a torch, rattling cans to attract attention or retrieve your fallen weapon. (All of those are probably listed in Ravingdork's links somewhere.) And if by chance the Spurious Adjective McGuffin of Plot Devicedom happens to be sitting unattended on a shelf, it can probably retrieve that too. You would of course be otherwise occupied fighting the Boss Monster.

Because it is technically a force effect, it might give you some ability to interact with Ethereal/Incorporeal obstacles, though I'd be shocked if it ever comes up.

[JoelF847]

My favorite two things to do with unseen servant are opening/closing doors (no more wasting move actions on those), and picking up disarmed weapons (assuming someone in your party disarms).

They're also great for holding torches at lower levels or really any object you don't have a third hand for.

[Dave Justus]

Having an unseen servant reloading a crossbow is tricky in practice. Handing off an item to another creature isn't really spelled out as an action. It probably should require at least a move (manipulate an object) action by at least one side of the partnership. This, in many cases, might make handing crossbows back and forth less efficient than just reloading it yourself.

It also isn't clear that an unseen servant, not being a creature, actually has the normal set of actions in a round. It is really designed primarily as a non-combat spell, and how it would interact in a combat situation is murky at best.

Also, while being described as 'an invisibile, shapeless force' the spell does not have the force descriptor and is not a force effect.

[Ravingdork]

Why would you have to hand it off to have it reloaded? Just have your servent reload it while you hold it.

[Goddity]

Dump brown paint on it. Have it walk around the enemy camp in conjunction with ghost sound. Add some clever use of dancing lights and if you're smart, you can make an entire camp flee before you, with only cantrips. Other good ones for this are spark, mage hand, and light. Theres a few more but I cannot remember what they are called right now.

My opinion on cantrips is that they aren't going to serve you in combat any way, so you might as well pick some that can be used very cleverly with some imagination.