Enchantment • Monster Mind Control
Dominate Monster
Dominate Monster is the broader member of the domination spell family. Fifth edition controls any creature through the Charmed condition; PF1e and D&D 3.5e simply remove the humanoid restriction from the older Dominate Person procedure.
At a Glance
| 2024 | Bard 8, Sorcerer 8, Warlock 8, Wizard 8; commands require no action |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Bard 8, Sorcerer 8, Warlock 8, Wizard 8; includes an Action for total and precise control |
| Pathfinder 1e | Sorcerer/Wizard 9; 1 day/level; any creature |
| D&D 3.5e | Sorcerer/Wizard 9; 1 day/level; any creature |
Choose Your Edition
Dominate Monster — 5.5e / 2024
| Level | 8th |
|---|---|
| School | 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 makes a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it has the Charmed condition for the duration. It has Advantage on the save if you or your allies are fighting it.
Whenever the target takes damage, it repeats the Wisdom save, ending the spell on itself on a success.
While you and the target are on the same plane, you have a telepathic link. On your turn, you can issue commands through that link without taking an action. The target does its best to obey on its turn.
You can command the target to take a Reaction, but you must spend your own Reaction to do so.
9th-level slot: Concentration can last up to 8 hours.
Dominate Monster — 5e / 2014
| Level | 8th |
|---|---|
| School | Enchantment |
| Casting Time | 1 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 makes a Wisdom saving throw, with Advantage if you or friendly creatures are fighting it. On a failure, it is Charmed for the duration.
You can issue simple commands through the telepathic link with no action required.
2014 total control: you can use your Action to take total and precise control until the end of your next turn. During that time, the creature takes only the actions you choose. Causing it to use a Reaction also costs your Reaction.
Damage triggers a new Wisdom saving throw to end the spell.
9th-level slot: Concentration can last up to 8 hours.
Dominate Monster — Pathfinder 1e
| School | Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting] |
|---|---|
| Level | Sorcerer/Wizard 9 |
| Casting Time | 1 round |
| Components | V, S |
| Range | Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) |
| Target | One creature |
| Duration | 1 day/level |
| Saving Throw | Will negates |
| Spell Resistance | Yes |
The spell functions like Dominate Person except that the target is not restricted to Humanoids.
That means the same legacy control procedure applies: detailed commands with shared language, move-action redirection, concentrated sensory impressions, new saves for actions against the target’s nature, same-plane unlimited control range, and the daily concentration requirement.
Dominate Monster — D&D 3.5e
| School | Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting] |
|---|---|
| Level | Sorcerer/Wizard 9 |
| Casting Time | 1 round |
| Components | V, S |
| Range | Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) |
| Target | One creature |
| Duration | 1 day/level |
| Saving Throw | Will negates |
| Spell Resistance | Yes |
The 3.5e spell likewise functions as Dominate Person with its humanoid-only restriction removed. The long-duration command structure, resistance to actions against the target’s nature, same-plane control and daily concentration requirement all carry over.
What Changed?
- 2024: removes the 2014 Action option for total and precise control. Ordinary commands still require no action, while commanding the target’s Reaction costs the caster’s Reaction.
- 2014: retains the total-control Action until the end of the caster’s next turn.
- PF1e / 3.5e: function as their editions’ Dominate Person spell without the Humanoid-only target restriction and last 1 day/level.
Using Dominate Monster
Fifth edition rewards timing. Damage gives the target another Wisdom save, so allies who keep attacking a controlled creature may shorten the spell dramatically.
Legacy domination is strategically different. A one-day-per-level duration can turn a successful casting into a long-term infiltration, travel or political problem rather than a single-encounter effect.
Creature type matters less here than with Dominate Person. This is the spell designed to control creatures outside the Humanoid category when they are not otherwise immune to its mind-affecting mechanics.
Related Magic
- Dominate Person — the narrower Humanoid-targeting version.
- Charm Monster — influence without the same direct command structure.
- Dispel Magic — a general counter to an ongoing spell effect.
- Break Enchantment — a legacy answer to qualifying enchantments.
Sources and Licensing
- D&D 2024 Basic Rules — Dominate Monster. SRD 5.2 material is available under CC BY 4.0.
- D&D 2014 Basic Rules — Dominate Monster. SRD 5.1 material is available under CC BY 4.0.
- Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook — Dominate Monster. Open Game Content under OGL v1.0a.
- D&D 3.5 SRD — Dominate Monster. Open Game Content under OGL v1.0a.
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