Dominate Person
Level 5 · Enchantment
- Concentration
- Save
- Control
- Buff
Dominate Person (bard, sorcerer, and wizard) casts from a 5th-level slot in the enchantment school. Cast time: Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: One Humanoid 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 6 (up to 10 minutes), 7 (up to 1 Hour), or 8+ (up to 8 hours).
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Enchantment
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- —
Description
One Humanoid 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
Enchantments are the spells of social combat. They make allies of enemies and obedient pawns of independent creatures. The school tag on Dominate Person is earned by the target it actually affects — the spell rewrites a sentient creature's intent or perception. Casting Dominate Person at level 5 means giving up another high-value spell that turn — the slot is that scarce.
Class Fit
- Bard: A Bard prepares Dominate Person from the known list, which means it stays on the sheet for several levels of play before retraining is an option. Note that Dominate Person requires concentration; switching to a second concentration spell ends it.
- Sorcerer: Quicken Spell turns an Action into a Bonus Action; if Dominate Person costs an Action, Quicken opens a two-spell turn. Concentration is the binding cost — Dominate Person can't share a slot with another concentration spell.
- Wizard: The Wizard's daily prep list is the class's flexibility lever — every long rest is a chance to reconsider what Dominate Person is doing on the sheet. Dominate Person's concentration requirement makes it vulnerable to a single failed save when the caster takes damage.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Dominate Person
- What level spell is Dominate Person?
- Dominate Person is a level 5 spell from the Enchantment school. The classes that can prepare it: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What save does Dominate Person require?
- Targets of Dominate Person make a Wisdom saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Dominate Person?
- From the caster's position, Dominate Person reaches 60 feet.
- Is Dominate Person a concentration spell?
- Concentration is required for Dominate Person, 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 Person need?
- To cast Dominate Person: the spell uses V, S components with a standard Action.
- Can Dominate Person be upcast?
- Yes — Your Concentration can last longer with a spell slot of level 6 (up to 10 minutes), 7 (up to 1 Hour), or 8+ (up to 8 hours).