Dominate Beast

A
Control

Dominate Beast is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

See all Control spells →
spell that
bends a beast's will

Dominate Beast is a Social Influence spell. Social Influence spells create ways to communicate, persuade, and alter behavior.

See all Social Influence spells →
,
turning it into a risky
save-or-suck

Dominate Beast is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

See all Save or Suck spells →
and letting you issue
swift commands

Dominate Beast is a Action Economy spell. Action Economy spells grant you more choices on future turns.

See all Action Economy spells →
.

2024 Rules

Level & School
4th-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer

One Beast you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration. The target has Advantage on the save if you or your allies are fighting it. Whenever the target takes damage, it repeats the save, ending the spell on itself on a success.

You have a telepathic link with the Charmed target while the two of you are on the same plane of existence. On your turn, you can use this link to issue commands to the target (no action required), such as "Attack that creature," "Move over there," or "Fetch that object." The target does its best to obey on its turn. If it completes an order and doesn't receive further direction from you, it acts and moves as it likes, focusing on protecting itself.

You can command the target to take a Reaction but must take your own Reaction to do so.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 5 (up to 10 minutes), 6 (up to 1 hour), or 7+ (up to 8 hours).

2014 Rules

Level & School
4th-level enchantment
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, 1 minute
Classes
Druid, Sorcerer

You attempt to beguile a beast that you can see within range. It must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by you for the duration. If you or creatures that are friendly to you are fighting it, it has advantage on the saving throw.

While the beast is charmed, you have a telepathic link with it as long as the two of you are on the same plane of existence. You can use this telepathic link to issue commands to the creature while you are conscious (no action required), which it does its best to obey. You can specify a simple and general course of action, such as "Attack that creature," "Run over there," or "Fetch that object." If the creature completes the order and doesn't receive further direction from you, it defends and preserves itself to the best of its ability.

You can use your action to take total and precise control of the target. Until the end of your next turn, the creature takes only the actions you choose, and doesn't do anything that you don't allow it to do. During this time, you can also cause the creature to use a reaction, but this requires you to use your own reaction as well.

Each time the target takes damage, it makes a new Wisdom saving throw against the spell. If the saving throw succeeds, the spell ends.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell with a 5th-level spell slot, the duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. When you use a 6th-level spell slot, the duration is concentration, up to 1 hour. When you use a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the duration is concentration, up to 8 hours.

Dominate Beast 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

You can now command it only on your turn, instead of any time while you were conscious. It also explicitly says the target uses its Reaction only if you spend your Reaction too. Now also available to Rangers.

Dominate Beast popularity

Dominate Beast is a seldom chosen level 4 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Dominate Beast

  • Dominate Monster 8th-level enchantment

    It’s the direct, more powerful analogue that also creates a mental link and lets you issue commands to another creature for an extended period.

  • Dominate Person 5th-level enchantment

    This spell works the same way on humanoids, forcing a charmed condition and allowing you to control a single target’s actions while concentrating.

  • Charm Monster 4th-level enchantment

    Like Dominate Beast it charms non-humanoid creatures and can be used to turn an enemy into an ally, though with less direct command ability.

  • Animal Friendship 1st-level enchantment

    It specifically targets beasts and attempts to make them friendly to you, sharing the same beast-focused social interaction niche at lower power.

  • Command 1st-level enchantment

    A short, single-target option for forcing an enemy to obey a simple order, making it a compact tactical cousin for controlling a foe’s turn.