Banishment
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level abjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a pentacle)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Cleric, Paladin, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
One creature that you can see within range must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or be transported to a harmless demiplane for the duration. While there, the target has the Incapacitated condition. When the spell ends, the target reappears in the space it left or in the nearest unoccupied space if that space is occupied.
If the target is an Aberration, a Celestial, an Elemental, a Fey, or a Fiend, the target doesn't return if the spell lasts for 1 minute. The target is instead transported to a random location on a plane (DM's choice) associated with its creature type.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You can target one additional creature for each spell slot level above 4.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 4th-level abjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (an item distasteful to the target)
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Cleric, Paladin, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. 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.
Banishment 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Banishment popularity
How popular is Banishment? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- #1 of all level 4 spells
- #3 picked level 4 Sorcerer spell
- #3 picked level 4 Warlock spell
- Top 10% picked level 4 Wizard spell
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% picked level 4 Cleric spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 4 Paladin spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Banishment
Polymorph 4th-level transmutation
At the same level, it uses concentration and a saving throw to neutralize one creature for an extended duration.
Players prefer Banishment over Polymorph
Maze 8th-level conjuration
Both temporarily strand a target in an extradimensional space, effectively taking a dangerous creature out of the fight.
Players prefer Banishment over Maze
Hold Monster 5th-level enchantment
A failed save leaves a creature helpless for up to a minute, offering a similar single-target shutdown.
Players prefer Banishment over Hold Monster
Plane Shift 7th-level conjuration
It can forcibly send an unwilling creature to another plane, closely matching Banishment's planar-displacement function.
Players prefer Banishment over Plane Shift
Otiluke's Resilient Sphere 4th-level abjuration
This fourth-level concentration spell isolates a creature from combat after a failed saving throw.
Players prefer Banishment over Otiluke's Resilient Sphere
Imprisonment 9th-level abjuration
Like Banishment, it removes a creature from the battlefield through a powerful saving-throw-based magical prison.
Players prefer Banishment over Imprisonment