Dominate Monster
Level 8 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Save
- Control
- Buff
A 8th-level spell in the enchantment school, Dominate Monster appears on the bard, sorcerer, warlock, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S, duration up to 1 hour. Marked concentration. Effect: One creature 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 level 9 spell slot (up to 8 hours).
Stat Block
- Level
- 8
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Hour
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
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.
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
The Enchantment tradition rewrites decisions. Its targets do not feel coerced; they feel as if their own preferences shifted between one breath and the next. Dominate Monster reads as Enchantment because the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. At Dominate Monster's level, a single cast can decide a fight or an arc.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Charisma-focused Bard casts Dominate Monster at the spell-save DC for the build's primary stat; that DC is competitive at most tables. Concentration on Dominate Monster forces the caster to choose between this spell and the next big concentration play.
- Sorcerer: Quicken Spell turns an Action into a Bonus Action; if Dominate Monster costs an Action, Quicken opens a two-spell turn. Dominate Monster scales when upcast — see the higher-level note on the spell page.
- Warlock: Hexblade, Fiend, Genie, Archfey, Great Old One, Celestial, Undying, and Undead patrons each grant bonus spells. Check whether Dominate Monster is on the patron list before spending a known slot. At higher spell-slot levels Dominate Monster grows — refer to the upcast clause for the exact terms.
- Wizard: On a Wizard sheet, Dominate Monster competes for prep slot with Misty Step, Counterspell, Shield (a Reaction always worth prepping), Fireball, Polymorph, and the higher-tier wall and force spells. Dominate Monster's concentration requirement makes it vulnerable to a single failed save when the caster takes damage.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Dominate Monster
- What level spell is Dominate Monster?
- The spell Dominate Monster is a level 8 spell in the Enchantment school. Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard all have access to it.
- What save does Dominate Monster require?
- Dominate Monster forces a Wisdom save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Dominate Monster?
- From the caster's position, Dominate Monster reaches 60 feet.
- Is Dominate Monster a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Dominate Monster, with a maximum duration up to 1 hour. The concentration rules apply: one at a time, and Con saves on damage.
- What components and casting time does Dominate Monster need?
- For Dominate Monster: the cast needs V, S, casting is a normal Action.
- Can Dominate Monster be upcast?
- Upcasting Dominate Monster works as follows: Your Concentration can last longer with a level 9 spell slot (up to 8 hours).