When you absolutely need to send an enemy packing, few spells do it quite as well as Banishment in D&D 5e!
Imagine the scene: you’re deep in the heart of a treacherous dungeon, facing off against a fearsome demon that’s wreaking havoc on your party. Just when things seem dire, you raise your hand, utter a few arcane words, and with a flick of your wrist—poof! The demon is gone, banished to another plane of existence.
Sounds like a scene straight out of a fantasy epic, right? Well, with the “Banishment” spell, this can be your reality!
In this article, we’ll explore what makes Banishment such a powerful tool in your magical arsenal. We’ll break down how to use it effectively, weigh its pros and cons, and provide some handy tips to ensure you’re always prepared to send those pesky extraplanar foes packing.
So grab your spellbook, settle in, and let’s embark on this magical journey together!
What is the Banishment Spell?
Banishment is a 4th-level abjuration spell that lets you temporarily send a creature to another plane of existence.
With a casting time of just one action and a range of 60 feet, you can target any creature you can see and force it to make a Charisma saving throw. Fail, and it’s bye-bye baddie!
If the creature is native to your current plane, it’s whisked away to a harmless demiplane for up to a minute. If it hails from another plane, it’s sent back home—and if you maintain concentration for the full duration, it might just stay there permanently.
It’s a fantastic “get out of my face” spell!
LEVEL: 4th
CASTING TIME: 1 Action
RANGE/AREA: 60 ft
COMPONENTS: V, S, M*
DURATION: 1 minute (requires Concentration)
SCHOOL: Abjuration
ATTACK/SAVE: Charisma Save
DAMAGE/EFFECT: Control
SPELL LISTS: Cleric, Paladin, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You attempt to send one creature that you can see within range to another plane of existence. The target must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or be banished.
If the target is native to the plane of existence you’re on, you banish the target to a harmless demiplane. While there, the target is incapacitated. The target remains there until the spell ends, at which point the target reappears in the space it left or in the nearest unoccupied space if that space is occupied.
If the target is native to a different plane of existence than the one you’re on, the target is banished with a faint popping noise, returning to its home plane. If the spell ends before 1 minute has passed, the target reappears in the space it left or in the nearest unoccupied space if that space is occupied. Otherwise, the target doesn’t return.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 4th.
* (an item distasteful to the target)
How to Use “Banishment” Effectively
So, you’ve got Banishment in your spellbook and you’re ready to wield it like a pro. Here’s how to make the most of this game-changing spell:
Preparation and Casting
First things first: Timing is everything with this spell.
Cast Banishment when the battle is heating up and you need to tip the scales in your favor by entirely removing one enemy from the fight, whether temporarily or permanently.
Additionally, remember that this spell requires concentration, so make sure you’re not in a position where you’ll easily lose focus. If you lose focus, that baddie will pop right back into position and will probably have a couple of opinions about what you’ve just done to them…
Keep your material component—a small item distasteful to the target—handy. It’s a small price to pay for such a powerful effect!
Target Selection
Choosing the right target can make or break your strategy.
Generally speaking, you want to aim for the biggest threat on the battlefield—those high-damage dealers or spellcasters wreaking havoc on your party.
If you’re facing an extraplanar creature, even better! Banish them back to their home plane and potentially rid yourself of them for good.
However, you should be aware that Banishment is one of the most famous “save or suck” spells in D&D 5e. If the target fails their save they are banished, but if they succeed then you’ve only succeed in burning a spell slot.
It really is an “all or nothing” kind of spell, so you want to think twice if you’re going against an enemy that you believe to have a high Charisma score.
Here’s a quick table to give you the most common planes beyond the Material Plane and some examples of creatures that hail from there.
| Plane | Example Creatures |
| Feywild | Redcaps, Eladrin, Most Hags |
| Shadowfell | Sorrowsworn, Shadar-Kai, Many Undead (Bodaks, Vampires, Specters/Poltergeists, etc. but it’s mostly case-by-case) |
| Elemental Planes | Elementals, Mephits, Genies |
| Upper Planes | Angels, Unicorns, Deva, Pegasus |
| Lower Planes | Devils (Chain Devils, Imps), Demons (Quasit, Vrock), Fiends (Rakshasa, Cambions, Incubus/Succubus) |
Tactics and Strategies
Banishment isn’t just about removing a threat; it’s about creating opportunities.
Coordinate with your party to focus on the remaining enemies while the banished foe is out of the picture. Use this time to heal, regroup, or set up traps for when they return.
If you’re dealing with a mix of enemies, banishing the boss or one particular key enemy can give you breathing room to clear out the minions without interference.
Also, consider the battlefield itself. If you’re in a precarious location, banishing a foe can prevent them from using the environment against you.
Perhaps an enemy mercenary is currently running towards a lever to release a bunch of ferocious animals on your party and you know you won’t be able to drop him before he gets there. A quick cast of Banishment and that problem is truly “out of sight, out of mind” while you and your allies deal with the other mercenaries..
And don’t forget—if you’re in a tight spot, banishing an enemy can give you the space you need to escape or reposition.
Maintaining Concentration
Staying focused is absolutely crucial to using the Banishment spell effectively.
Protect yourself with defensive spells like Shield or Mage Armor, and position yourself away from the thick of the fight. If your concentration is broken, your banished foe will return, potentially more enraged than before.
So, keep your wits about you and ensure your party is ready to cover you if things get dicey!
Master these tactics, and Banishment will become one of your most reliable and potent spells, turning the tide of battle in your favor and sending your enemies packing!
Pros and Cons of Banishment
Every spell has its strengths and weaknesses, and Banishment is no exception. Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can wield this spell with confidence and savvy.
Pros
- Temporary Removal of Threats: Banishment can instantly take a powerful enemy out of the fight, giving your party valuable time to deal with other threats or regroup. It’s like hitting the pause button on a particularly nasty foe.
- Permanent Solution for Extraplanar Creatures: If you’re up against demons, elementals, or any other extraplanar nasties, Banishment can send them back to their home plane permanently if you maintain concentration for the full duration. Say goodbye to those troublesome invaders!
- Strategic Advantage: Removing a key enemy can disrupt the opposing force’s strategy, allowing your party to gain the upper hand. It’s a great way to control the battlefield and dictate the flow of combat.
- Versatility: Whether you’re dealing with a rampaging monster, a cunning spellcaster, or just a generally annoying minion, Banishment is a versatile tool that can handle a variety of threats effectively.
Cons
- Concentration Required: Banishment demands your full attention. If you lose concentration—whether through damage or another spell—the banished creature returns immediately, potentially turning the tide back against you.
- Limited Duration: The spell lasts up to one minute, which can be a double-edged sword. While it’s often enough time to gain an advantage, it’s not a permanent solution unless the target is from another plane.
- High Charisma Saves: Creatures with high Charisma scores are more likely to resist the spell. This can make Banishment less reliable against certain enemies, especially those with strong wills or magical defenses.
- Single Target: Banishment affects only one creature per casting. In battles with multiple foes, you’ll need to choose your target wisely, as you can’t banish an entire group.
- Material Component: The spell requires a material component that’s distasteful to the target. While usually not a major hurdle, it’s something to keep in mind and prepare for in advance.
In the right hands, Banishment is a spell of immense power and utility. By understanding its strengths and limitations, you can use it to turn the tide of battle and send your enemies packing—literally!
FAQ Section
Unless you’re casting it at a higher level, Banishment only targets one creature per casting. The exception to this is Sorcerers who can use their Twin Spell Metamagic to also banish one other creature with the same casting.
If you ARE casting it at a higher level, each spell slot level above 4 lets you banish one extra creature with the same casting. So casting at level 5 lets you banish 2 creatures, casting at level 6 lets you banish 3, etc.
Yes, if the caster loses concentration or if the spell’s duration ends before the full minute has passed, the creature will reappear in its original location or the nearest unoccupied space.
If the creature is native to your current plane, it is sent to a harmless demiplane where it remains incapacitated for the duration of the spell. Once the spell ends, it reappears in the space it left or the nearest unoccupied space.
Yes, Banishment can target any creature, including undead and constructs, as long as they are not immune to being banished and fail their Charisma saving throw.
Yes, like most spells, Banishment can be countered by another caster using Counterspell as they see Banishment being cast.
Notably, Dispel Magic won’t be useful against Banishment as the caster of Dispel Magic would have to be able to see the banished target.
Technically, you can cast Banishment on yourself.
For example, maybe you’ve stumbled into the Feywild and think this could be an easy ticket home. Unfortunately, you would cast it, become incapacitated (per the spell’s description), lose concentration, and instantly return to where you were standing.
So, while you can cast Banishment on yourself, it would not have the effect that you’re hoping for.
Conclusion
Banishment is a powerful tool in any spellcaster’s arsenal, capable of turning the tide of battle and sending your foes packing—sometimes for good. By understanding its mechanics, leveraging its strengths, and mitigating its weaknesses, you can wield Banishment like a true master of the arcane.
We hope this guide has given you new insights and strategies to make the most of this spell in your D&D campaigns.
Whether you’re banishing a demon back to the Abyss or giving your party a much-needed breather, Banishment is sure to become one of your go-to spells.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with Banishment! Have you pulled off an epic banish that saved the day? Or maybe you’ve got some creative uses for the spell that we haven’t covered? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
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