If you want to send enemies to another plane, the Banishment DND spell is the spell for you.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Banishment spell.
I’ve used this spell many times in my games, so I’m pumped to share all the spell stats, strategies, and secrets. It’s time to banish, baby!
Banishment DND Spell Stat Block
Here are the most important Banishment DND spell stats you need to know:
| 📜 Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| 🕒 Duration | Up to 1 minute |
| ✨ Components | V, S, M |
| 🎭 Classes | Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) |
| 🎚 Level | 4th |
| 🏫 School of Magic | Abjuration |
| 🔮 Casting Time | 1 action |
| 🎯 Range | 60 feet |
| 👥 Targets | One creature |
| 💪 Saving Throw | Charisma |
| 🔒 Concentration Required | Yes |
| 🜁 Components | VSM |
| 🤮 Material Component | An item distasteful to the target |
What Is Banishment in DND?
Imagine being able to flick your wrist, utter a few mystical words, and send a menacing foe to another dimension.
According to the official DND Player’s Handbook, Banishment is an abjuration spell that enables you to send a creature to another plane of existence, effectively removing them from the battlefield, albeit temporarily.
But what does “abjuration” mean, you ask?
Abjuration spells are protective in nature. They create barriers, block enemies, and remove harmful effects.
Banishment stands unique among abjuration spells, as it doesn’t just protect players.
It removes the threat altogether — at least for a while.
Whether you’re dealing with a pesky goblin or a fearsome dragon, Banishment offers a tactical advantage that can turn the tides of battle.
How Does Banishment Work?
When you use Banishment, pick a creature you can see that is within 60 feet of you.
Then the creature must make a Charisma saving throw.
Fail, and they’re off to another plane of existence for up to 1 minute! That’s 10 rounds in D&D time, giving you and your party a significant window to strategize or escape.
But Banishment isn’t a “fire-and-forget” spell. It requires concentration.
This means that if you take damage or perform certain actions, you’ll need to make a concentration check to maintain the spell.
If you lose concentration, the creature comes back, often right where they left, ready to resume their attack.
So, while Banishment offers a powerful tactical advantage, it comes with its own set of challenges that require careful planning and execution.
Is Banishment Permanent?
The short answer is “no,” but there’s a catch.
If the creature is from the same plane you are on, they’ll return once the spell ends or if you lose concentration.
However, if the target is not native to the plane you’re on, they will be sent back to their home plane.
They will be sent back at the end of the spell’s duration.
Which may make banishment permanent in that sense.
Can You Cast Banishment on Yourself?
Another intriguing question is whether you can cast Banishment on yourself.
Technically, yes, you can.
The spell specifies “a creature that you can see within range,” and you can certainly see yourself.
However, doing so would mean you’re willingly sending yourself to another plane of existence, and maintaining concentration could prove challenging.
Use this option with caution. It’s generally reserved for desperate situations.
Here is a good video about the Banishment DND spell:
Who Can Use Banishment in D&D?
Here are the classes that can cast Banishment, each with its own unique flair:
- Clerics – As divine spellcasters, Clerics may use Banishment as a manifestation of their deity’s will.
- Sorcerers – With their innate magical abilities, Sorcerers could argue that their power to banish stems from their mysterious origins.
- Warlocks – These spellcasters might view Banishment as a gift from their otherworldly patrons.
- Wizards – Ever the scholars, Wizards likely learned the Banishment spell through extensive study.
- Paladins (Oath of the Ancients) – These holy warriors can also wield Banishment, drawing upon their sacred oaths to channel this spell.
You can also access the Banishment DND spell by multi-classing with one of these listed classes plus other, non-magical classes.
Is Banishment Good?
The word “good” can be subjective, especially in a game as complex and multi-faceted as Dungeons & Dragons.
However, if by “good” you mean effective, then yes, Banishment can be an incredibly potent spell.
The ability to remove a creature from the battlefield, even temporarily, can be a game-changer.
It can provide your party with the time needed to heal, strategize, or deal with other threats.
But, like any powerful tool, Banishment comes with its caveats.
Is Banishment Overpowered?
No, Banishment is not overpowered.
On one hand, the spell has the power to completely remove a creature from combat for up to 1 minute, effectively turning a potentially difficult fight into an easier one.
In that sense, one could argue that Banishment is overpowered.
Especially when used creatively or against a singular, powerful foe.
However, it’s important to consider the limitations and vulnerabilities that come with casting Banishment.
The spell requires concentration.
Any disruption to that concentration can instantly nullify its effects.
Additionally, it’s a 4th-level spell, meaning it uses up a relatively high-level spell slot.
Finally, savvy enemies with high Charisma scores or counterspell abilities can resist or negate the spell entirely. Therefore, while Banishment is powerful, calling it “overpowered” may be a stretch, given its various checks and balances.
Banishment vs Other Similar Spells
When it comes to controlling the battlefield or dealing with threats, Banishment is not the only spell in a caster’s arsenal.
There are other spells that offer similar utility, each with its unique features.
Below, we examine some spells that are often compared to Banishment.
Hold Monster vs. Banishment
- Hold Monster: This 5th-level spell paralyzes a creature for the duration, leaving them vulnerable but still present on the battlefield.
- Banishment: Removes the target from the battlefield entirely, but also from potential harm.
Pros and Cons: Hold Monster allows for easy attacks on the paralyzed creature but doesn’t protect them from damage. Banishment provides complete removal but requires concentration and a material component.
Dimension Door vs. Banishment
- Dimension Door: A 4th-level spell that allows you or a willing creature to teleport to a nearby location.
- Banishment: Removes an unwilling creature to another plane but only temporarily.
Pros and Cons: Dimension Door offers more control over the destination and doesn’t require concentration. However, it can’t be used offensively like Banishment.
Teleportation Circle vs. Banishment
- Teleportation Circle: This 5th-level spell creates a circle that teleports creatures to a designated location but takes a full minute to cast.
- Banishment: Acts instantly but only lasts for up to a minute and affects a single target.
Pros and Cons: Teleportation Circle can move multiple creatures but requires a longer casting time and more expensive material components. Banishment is quicker but limited in its duration and targets.
Polymorph vs. Banishment
- Polymorph: A 4th-level spell that transforms a creature into a different form, potentially rendering them harmless.
- Banishment: Removes the threat by sending the target to another plane of existence.
Pros and Cons: Polymorph offers versatility in choosing the new form and can last longer than Banishment. However, it doesn’t remove the creature from the battlefield, leaving potential for disruption.
How to Defend Against Banishment
Facing an opponent who can cast Banishment? The prospect of being whisked away to another plane of existence is unsettling, to say the least.
However, there are several ways to defend yourself against this spell:
- High Charisma – One of the most straightforward ways to resist Banishment is by having a high Charisma score. This will give you a better chance of succeeding on the Charisma saving throw when the spell is cast.
- Counterspell – If you’re a spellcaster with access to Counterspell, you can attempt to negate Banishment as it’s being cast. Remember that Counterspell needs to be cast as a reaction.
- Magic Resistance – Some creatures and magical items offer resistance to spells, which can provide advantage on saving throws against Banishment.
- Strategic Positioning – Being out of the spell’s 60-foot range or out of the caster’s line of sight can also prevent you from being targeted.
- Party Support – Spells like “Bless” or “Guidance” from your allies can give you a boost on your saving throw, making it harder for Banishment to take effect.
10 Examples of Distasteful Items
The Banishment spell requires a material component: an item that is distasteful to the target.
While the spell description leaves this open to interpretation, it provides a fantastic opportunity for creativity.
Here are 10 examples of items that could be considered “distasteful.”
- Garlic: For banishing vampires or other creatures averse to garlic.
- Holy Water: Effective against demons, devils, and undead creatures.
- A Lock of Hair: Particularly distasteful for superstitious or magical beings.
- Moldy Cheese: For creatures with a keen sense of smell.
- A Thorn: Could be effective against nature-based creatures like dryads or treants.
- An Open Flame: For creatures that fear fire, like some types of trolls.
- A Broken Mirror: Considered bad luck by many, making it distasteful to superstitious creatures.
- An Ankh: Distasteful to creatures with an aversion to life or healing.
- Salt: A traditional ward against evil spirits and some fey creatures.
- A Feather: Could be distasteful to creatures that are grounded or have a fear of heights.
20 Creative Ways DND Players Can Use Banishment
Here are 20 ways players can use Banishment in their D&D games:
- Divide and Conquer: Banish a powerful enemy temporarily to deal with weaker foes first.
- Safe Retrieval: Banish an ally who’s in immediate danger, giving the party time to clear threats.
- Escape Route: Banish yourself when cornered, buying time for your party to come to your aid.
- Interrogation: Banish a captive enemy, then prepare an area to restrain them upon their return.
- Treasure Recovery: Banish a guardian creature away from a treasure chest or important object.
- Crowd Control: Use Banishment to thin out a swarm of enemies in a large-scale battle.
- Stealth Missions: Banish guards or lookouts to move undetected.
- Delay Mechanism: Banish a ticking time bomb or dangerous artifact.
- Environmental Obstacles: Banish a creature blocking a crucial path or doorway.
- Underwater Exploration: Banish water-dwelling creatures that pose a threat during an underwater quest.
- Disarm Traps: Banish a rogue to a safe plane while they disarm a deadly trap.
- Sky Battles: Banish flying creatures to give your party the aerial advantage.
- Moral Dilemmas: Use Banishment on a morally ambiguous creature, sparking a debate among party members on whether to bring it back.
- Time for Buffs: Banish a foe and use the time to cast buffing spells on your party.
- Extraction: Banish an NPC you need to rescue, ensuring their safety until you can reach them.
- Resource Drain: Force enemies to use their Counterspells or saving throw bonuses against Banishment, weakening them for future spells.
- Teleportation: Banish an ally to their home plane if they are not native to the current plane.
- Climactic Battles: Use Banishment to set the stage for a one-on-one duel with a villain.
- Puzzle Solving: Banish a piece of a puzzle or obstacle to solve it more easily.
- Bargaining Chip: Use the threat of Banishment as leverage in negotiations.
20 Ideas for DMs to Use Banishment in a Campaign
Dungeon Masters, this section is for you! The Banishment spell isn’t just a tool for players.
It can be a versatile element in your storytelling and encounter design.
Here are 20 ways you can incorporate Banishment into your campaigns:
- Plot Device: Use Banishment as a key element in a quest, where the party must find a way to reverse a wrongful banishment.
- Villain Escape: Allow a cunning villain to use Banishment to make a dramatic exit.
- Moral Quandary: Pose a dilemma where banishing an enemy also means banishing something good or valuable.
- Random Encounters: Have creatures from other planes appear due to a botched Banishment spell.
- Rescue Mission: Create a quest where the party must rescue someone who has been banished.
- Time-Limited Challenges: Use Banishment to create urgency, as the party has only 1 minute to accomplish a task.
- Haunted Locations: In a haunted setting, use Banishment as a way to temporarily clear malicious spirits.
- Alternate Realities: Use Banishment to give the party a glimpse of alternate planes, sparking their curiosity.
- Artifact Retrieval: Make the material component for a powerful artifact something that can only be obtained from a banished plane.
- Betrayal: An NPC ally could use Banishment on a party member at a crucial moment, revealing their true intentions.
- Fey Encounters: Use Banishment in a fey-heavy campaign to add an extra layer of complexity and danger.
- Cosmic Events: Tie Banishment to celestial events like eclipses, making the spell stronger or weaker.
- Riddles and Puzzles: Require the players to use Banishment creatively to solve a puzzle.
- Divine Intervention: Use Banishment as a tool of the gods, either aiding or hindering the party.
- Cursed Items: Create a cursed item that randomly banishes the one who uses it.
- Power Struggles: In a political campaign, Banishment could be used as a way to dispose of rivals.
- Epic Finales: Use Banishment in the final showdown to raise the stakes.
- Balance of Power: Create a scenario where multiple parties are trying to banish each other, requiring strategic decision-making.
- Easter Eggs: Hide fun or beneficial items in alternate planes that the players can only access via Banishment.
- High-Stakes Diplomacy: Use Banishment as a threat during intense negotiations, making diplomacy more critical.
What Is the Best Use of Banishment?
The best use of Banishment is to remove the most powerful enemy from a combat encounter.
This tactical move serves multiple purposes.
Not only do you neutralize the most significant threat, but you also create an opportunity for your party to deal with lesser foes, heal, or strategize for what comes next.
In essence, using Banishment this way can dramatically shift the dynamics of a battle in your favor.
What Can You Banish with the Banishment DND Spell?
The range of potential targets of the Banishment spell can be a point of curiosity and sometimes confusion.
Below is a table that aims to clarify what you can and can’t banish (officially):
| Questions | Can be Banished? |
|---|---|
| Can you banish a deity? | ❌ |
| Can you banish a golem? | ✅ |
| Can you banish a spell? | ❌ |
| Can you banish an item? | ❌ |
| Can you banish a tarrasque? | ❌ |
| Can you banish a ghost? | ✅ |
| Can you banish a demon? | ✅ |
| Can you banish an elemental? | ✅ |
| Can you banish a dragon? | ✅ |
| Can you banish a human? | ✅ |
Final Thoughts: Banishment DND Spell
Don’t banish yourself from this website (and, therefore, roleplaying fun).
We have a ton of other articles on DND spells, monsters, items, and more.
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