Dominate Monster
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 8th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
One creature 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 level 9 spell slot (up to 8 hours).
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 8th-level enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 hour
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You attempt to beguile a creature 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 creature 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 9th-level spell slot, the duration is concentration, up to 8 hours.
Dominate Monster 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Dominate Monster popularity
How popular is Dominate Monster? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Bottom 50% of all level 8 spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 8 Sorcerer spell
- Bottom 25% picked level 8 Wizard spell
- Bottom 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 10% picked level 8 Bard spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 8 Warlock spell
Spells similar to Dominate Monster
Dominate Person 5th-level enchantment
It’s the direct analogue that charms a single humanoid and lets you issue commands, matching the same school and command-style control.
Players prefer Dominate Person over Dominate Monster
Modify Memory 5th-level enchantment
This spell manipulates a creature’s mind and can be used to shape their actions or relationships indirectly, so it overlaps on social manipulation and lasting mental effect.
Players prefer Modify Memory over Dominate Monster
Dominate Beast 4th-level enchantment
This spell works like the target but is tuned toward nonhumanoid animals, sharing the charm-and-command mechanic and action-economy benefit.
Players prefer Dominate Beast over Dominate Monster
Planar Binding 5th-level abjuration
Although framed as a binding ritual, it forces a creature to serve you for a long duration and is used when you want reliable control over a single powerful foe.
Players prefer Dominate Monster over Planar Binding
Geas 5th-level enchantment
Geas imposes compelled behavior on a single target for an extended time, making it a comparable long-term mind-control option with strong narrative control.
Players prefer Dominate Monster over Geas