Banish

Banish, often called Hide, is a control state that temporarily removes a unit from normal map interaction, preventing it from moving, attacking, casting abilities, or using items.

What is Banish in Dota 2?

Banish is common community wording for the Hide mechanic. A hidden unit temporarily stops interacting with most of the battlefield: it cannot move, attack, cast abilities, or use items, and other units usually cannot target or affect it during that period. Most hide effects also make the unit invulnerable, although source-specific exceptions can exist.

The mechanic can be used offensively to remove an enemy from a fight or defensively to protect an ally for a short time. Hidden units can still remain part of some game systems such as receiving nearby experience or gold when the source permits it.

How Banish is used in a match

Banish creates a temporary numbers change without necessarily killing anyone. Removing one enemy can let a team focus another target, wait out a defensive buff, or reposition before the hidden hero returns. Used on an ally, it can avoid incoming damage or protect a key hero through a dangerous window.

Timing matters because the target returns when the effect ends. A team can prepare spells at the return location, while the hidden hero’s allies can use the same time to move into position for a counterplay.

Do not confuse Banish with...

Banish or Hide is not invisibility. An invisible unit is still on the map, can move, and can often act while hidden from normal enemy vision. A banished unit is temporarily unable to perform normal actions and is largely removed from battlefield interaction.