Dominate Beast
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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, Ranger, Sorcerer
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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
Dominate Beast popularity
How popular is Dominate Beast? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- #3 picked level 4 Ranger spell
- Top 25% picked level 4 Druid spell
- Top 50% picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
- Top 50% of all level 4 spells
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Dominate Beast
Suggestion 2nd-level enchantment
This concentration-based Enchantment persuades a failed-save target to follow a spoken course of action, making it a weaker but broadly similar command spell.
Players prefer Suggestion over Dominate Beast
Compulsion 4th-level enchantment
Both impose behavior-changing commands through a Wisdom save while maintaining concentration, although Compulsion affects multiple creatures and offers less direct control.
Players prefer Dominate Beast over Compulsion
Dominate Monster 8th-level enchantment
This is the higher-level version of the same charm-and-command mechanic, with a broader creature type and longer potential duration.
Players prefer Dominate Beast over Dominate Monster
Dominate Person 5th-level enchantment
It uses nearly the same Wisdom-based, concentration-dependent domination effect, differing mainly in targeting humanoids and spell level.
Players prefer Dominate Beast over Dominate Person
Animal Friendship 1st-level enchantment
It specifically targets beasts and uses magical charm to influence their behavior, though it lacks Dominate Beast's combat commands and concentration.
Players prefer Dominate Beast over Animal Friendship
Charm Monster 4th-level enchantment
Both are fourth-level Enchantment spells that charm a creature through a saving throw and rely on social manipulation rather than damage.
Players prefer Dominate Beast over Charm Monster