Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Hi.
Am I the only one that thinks that the command spell is completely broken now that they lifted the limitations?
In 2014, it said: "The spell has no effect if the target is undead, if it doesn't understand your language, or if your command is directly harmful to it."
In 2024, you can command a creature that doesn't understand you. Even if it's an undead. And even if it's immune to the Charmed effect.
Casting a lvl 1 spell that forces the enemy to basically skip their turn is kind of bizarre, given the value of action economy.
A wizard/sorcerer will try to hold monster (5th level) against a powerful enemy, so that 1) it skips it's turn; 2) is easily crit'ed; 3) or forces it's legendary resistance.
Since we all know that skipping the turn is the most effective part of it, why allow bards and clerics to do that with a 1th level spell?
Please explain to me why limitations were lifted, turning Command one of the most powerful spells of the game.
Lots of spells mess with enemy turns or their ability to do things they want on their turn. Why is this spell in particular broken, but not Sleep, or Tasha's Hideous Laughter, or Entangle, or Ensnaring Strike, or Ray of Sickness, or Color Spray?
They removed the ability to use any single word and limited it to choose from the following options: Approach, Drop, Flee, Grovel, Halt. It also doesn't affect the enemy's mind so they can use their reaction - the spell only takes effect on the enemy's turn, nor does it affect the enemy's defenses.
Hold Monster is concentration which means it can last for up to 10 turns, all of which grant an automatic critical hit for all melee attackers.
I would say Command would be one of the best 1st level spells, with it also having quite possibly the best upcasting. It’s really good against powerful monsters, but stuff like a dozen goblins would make it pretty ineffective compared to Sleep or Burning Hands.
My dude, Command has a 60ft range. You say halt and the creature basically loses it's turn.
asha's Hideous Laughter has a 30 feet range, Color Spray has a 15 feet range, and Sleep doesn't work on undead.
Entangle, Ensnaring Stike and Ray of Sickness allows the enemy to act.
Absolutely. Upcasting it is insane.
Now, change "goblins" in your sentence to any monster with more damage output and HP.
6 griffons? 10 ghouls? Yes, command is still worth it.
Tasha's Hideous Laughter is nastier than Command's Grovel and lasts for up to 1 minute, depending on saves. Command can't disrupt Concentration.
Color Spray is a level 1 Cone. Without upcasting, Command is a single target spell.
Sleep has restricted targets (not just Undead are immune), but lasts up to a minute and is, again, nastier than Command's Grovel. Command can't disrupt Concentration.
Entangle and Ensnaring Strike allow the enemy to take actions, but if they only have melee actions it's the same thing.
Ray of Sickness deals damage and causes all attack rolls to be made with disadvantage. This can absolutely result in a wasted turn.
There's also the fact that these options are available to different classes. Paladins can't cast Tasha's Hideous Laughter but can cast Command. Paladins would rather be casting Smite, but still.
How to add Tooltips.
My houserulings.
Command being overpowered is not a new thing you just have to choose your word wisely
Also hold monster lasts for a minute not a single turn
And it's not one of the most powerful spells IMO
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