D&D (2024) Command is the Perfect Encapsulation of Everything I Don't Like About 5.5e

[mellored]

Dominate doesn't give you immediate and complete knowledge of what the dominated person can do, does it? As in, what spells he-she has or whether he-she can cast spells at all (unless you've already seen said person cast a spell, of course).

"Kill them" should be enough.

And if you allow pointing to go along with Command. Then point and "Kill" is going to be far more powerful than intended.

 

[Pedantic]

"Kill them" should be enough.

And if you allow pointing to go along with Command. Then point and "Kill" is going to be far more powerful than intended.

Is it? Compelling a single action's worth of friendly fire seems like a reasonable downgrade from Crown of Madness' multiple such actions 1 spell level higher.

 

[mellored]

Is it? Compelling a single action's worth of friendly fire seems like a reasonable downgrade from Crown of Madness' multiple such actions 1 spell level higher.

Crown of Madness has severe positioning/ initiative requirements.

-Cast it on the BBEG standing next to 2 minions.
-minion 1 drags minion 2 out of the way.
-BBEG can act as normal.

Though with Push available, an ally could potentially move one of those minions back.


I assumed when you said dominate, you ment full control of their turn. If you keep adding caveats like "you don't know their abilities" or "can't hurt themselves" or "have to be standing next to an ally" then you can do it at a lower level.

 

[Oofta]

Crown of Madness has severe positioning/ initiative requirements.

-Cast it on the BBEG standing next to 2 minions.
-minion 1 drags minion 2 out of the way.
-BBEG can act as normal.

Though with Push available, an ally could potentially move one of those minions back.


I assumed when you said dominate, you ment full control of their turn. If you keep adding caveats like "you don't know their abilities" or "can't hurt themselves" or "have to be standing next to an ally" then you can do it at a lower level.

Once the target and their allies realize what is going on, I agree. In most cases there's one round or so of confusion. Also note that it targets humanoids only.

 

[ECMO3]

Crown of Madness has severe positioning/ initiative requirements.

-Cast it on the BBEG standing next to 2 minions.
-minion 1 drags minion 2 out of the way.
-BBEG can act as normal.

Not really as normal, he is still charmed, but he can take actions as long as they are not targeting the charmer.

 

[mellored]

Once the target and their allies realize what is going on, I agree. In most cases there's one round or so of confusion. Also note that it targets humanoids only.

There's a very obvious signs. A litteral crown and clear madness in their eyes.
And yea, humans as another restriction.

Not really as normal, he is still charmed, but he can take actions as long as they are not targeting the charmer.

Including casting 2014 Command "Kill" while pointing at the charmers ally.

Since it's not going to harm you.

 

[Daztur]

Nothing in the text of Command that indicates that pointing does naughty word. Casting something dumb like Command "Kill" would get the NPC trying to kill the caster most likely at my table.

 

[Older Beholder]

Players can always try to upcast the spell using a higher spell slot if they want to get creative.

 

[Lanefan]

Players can always try to upcast the spell using a higher spell slot if they want to get creative.

Now there's a thought: for every 2 levels of upcast you get an extra word.