Bane is a support hero who takes one opponent out of the fight for a long time and deals pure damage to them. Fiend’s Grip can stop even a hero with magic resistance, making Bane especially dangerous against isolated targets. In this article, we’ll look at who is a good pick against him in each position, which items can help, and how to play against Bane at different stages of the game.

Hero’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Bane excels at control and trading in lane. Brain Sap deals damage to an enemy and restores Bane’s health, Nightmare puts a chosen target to sleep, and Fiend’s Grip holds them in place and deals pure damage. The latter ability can be interrupted with a stun, silence, or other control that affects Bane.

The hero has little mobility and struggles to defend himself if an enemy reaches him quickly. Bane also depends on mana and can control only a limited number of targets at once. The following can help:

  • a coordinated team engagement;

  • save abilities;

  • an ability to interrupt Fiend’s Grip.

Best Heroes Against Bane

Bane is most often picked in position 5—as a hard support—or position 4—as a support. He tries to catch one important hero and hold them until the fight is over. That’s why heroes who can dispel negative effects, quickly reach Bane, or interrupt his ultimate are useful against him.

Carry

  • Slark can remove Nightmare from himself and his allies, as well as other negative effects, with Dark Pact if he times it correctly. Pounce helps him reach the low-mobility Bane.

  • Anti-Mage quickly closes the distance with Blink and burns mana with his attacks. Counterspell can reflect a targeted ability if used at the right time.

Mid

  • Silencer interrupts Fiend’s Grip with Global Silence and prevents Bane from starting a fight with spells.

  • Storm Spirit quickly reaches Bane with Ball Lightning. His mobility helps him dodge Nightmare and prevents the support from comfortably taking position.

Offlaner

  • Axe can interrupt Fiend’s Grip with Berserker’s Call and reach Bane first thanks to Blink Dagger.

  • Legion Commander catches Bane with Duel and prevents him from controlling allies with Press the Attack. However, Legion Commander herself also needs to watch out for Fiend’s Grip.

Support

  • Abaddon removes some negative effects from himself or an ally with Aphotic Shield.

  • Oracle can save an ally with False Promise and remove some effects with Fortune’s End. Stay out of Bane’s reach so you can help your team in time.

Hard Support

  • Dazzle saves an ally from lethal damage with Shallow Grave. Use the ability at the right time and be ready to continue protecting them after Fiend’s Grip ends.

  • Shadow Demon when Bane uses Nightmare on an ally, Shadow Demon can instantly cast Disruption on the target. This not only saves the ally from control, but also creates illusions that start attacking enemies.

What to Buy Against Bane

Item

How It Helps

Lotus Orb

dispel some effects from an ally and reflect targeted abilities

Linken’s Sphere

blocks one targeted spell, but Bane can remove the block with a less important ability

Black King Bar

protects against many of Bane’s abilities, but Fiend’s Grip pierces spell immunity

Orchid Malevolence or Bloodthorn

silence Bane and prevent him from starting to cast Fiend’s Grip

Force Staff

save an ally from a dangerous position if they are not affected by control

Glimmer Cape

gives an ally a chance to survive focus and reduces the magic damage they take

How to Play Against Bane at Different Stages

Laning

  • Don’t stand far from your ally: Bane can start a trade with Nightmare and continue it with Brain Sap.

  • Keep an eye on his mana and attack between his ability casts.

  • If Bane uses his spells on creeps or in a trade, use that window to apply pressure.

Mid Game

  • Place vision so you can spot Bane before he casts Fiend’s Grip.

  • Keep an interrupt nearby and agree in advance on who will save the ally.

  • If his ultimate has already been used, try to stop Bane or quickly switch your attack to him.

Late game

  • Don’t send an important hero alone somewhere Bane could catch them.

  • Stick together as a team and save abilities to interrupt Fiend’s Grip.

  • If Bane shows up on the map, attack him first or force him to use his ultimate before the main fight begins.