Dominate Beast
Level 4 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Save
- Control
- Buff
Dominate Beast (druid, ranger, and sorcerer) casts from a 4th-level slot in the enchantment school. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: One Beast you can see within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Charmed condition for the duration. At higher levels: 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).
Stat Block
- Level
- 4
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer
- Material
- —
Description
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.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Enchantment is the most narrative school. A held creature is interesting fiction; a charmed one is more interesting still. Dominate Beast reads as Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. The 4th-level slot is precious; Dominate Beast earns its slot or doesn't.
Class Fit
- Druid: Land Druids gain bonus circle spells by terrain; if Dominate Beast is already on the chosen terrain list, save the manual prep slot for something else. Keep in mind that Dominate Beast ends the moment the caster takes concentration off it for any reason.
- Ranger: On a Ranger sheet, Dominate Beast competes with Hunter's Mark and Favored Foe for concentration time. The higher-level scaling on Dominate Beast is described in the spell text; check it before upcasting.
- Sorcerer: Subtle Spell removes the verbal and somatic components; if Dominate Beast normally has both, Subtle lets the Sorcerer cast in chains or in a noble's parlor. 60 feet is enough range that Dominate Beast doesn't pull the caster forward.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Dominate Beast
- What level spell is Dominate Beast?
- The spell Dominate Beast is a level 4 spell in the Enchantment school. Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer all have access to it.
- What save does Dominate Beast require?
- Dominate Beast forces a Wisdom save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Dominate Beast?
- The range on Dominate Beast is 60 feet — far enough that most casters can stay clear of the front line.
- Is Dominate Beast a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Dominate Beast, with a maximum duration up to 1 minute. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Dominate Beast need?
- For Dominate Beast: the spell uses V, S components, casting is a normal Action.
- Can Dominate Beast be upcast?
- Yes — 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).