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Dominate Monster

Enchantment
Level: 8th-level
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Duration: Up to 1 hour
Components: V, S

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.

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell with a 9th-level spell slot, the duration is concentration, up to 8 hours.

Concentration

Spell Details

School: Enchantment
Level: 8
Ritual: No
Concentration: Yes
Classes: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
S-Tier One of the most powerful control spells available, permanently neutralizing threats or converting enemies into allies with minimal save modifiers for most creatures.

Player Guide

Use Dominate Monster as a campaign-ending tool against solo boss fights or critical encounters where you need guaranteed control. Position yourself safely before casting since you need line of sight and the spell requires concentration—stack it with allies who can protect you or use it after disabling the target's mobility. Remember that damage to the dominated creature grants it repeated saves, so coordinate with your party to minimize harm while leveraging the creature's own abilities against its former allies.

DM Tips

Consider creatures with legendary saves or high Wisdom scores—most enemies facing this spell are simply removed from the fight. Enforce concentration checks rigorously and track the hourly save resets to prevent the spell from trivializing entire encounters.