Underlord vs Kez

How this matchup plays

Laning against Underlord means Kez's damage is constantly being drained away by Atrophy Aura. For a melee carry who relies on building up attack speed and damage, this is crippling. Even if Kez tries to force a fight, Underlord can trap him in place with Pit of Malice. While the root doesn't stop Kez from using his stances or parries, it forces him to stand and take the full brunt of a Firestorm, which is usually enough to make him back off or die. Underlord's whole kit works to punish a hero who wants to stand and trade hits.

This dynamic defines the game. Underlord creates a massive, safe area for his team where Kez simply can't function effectively. In teamfights, Kez is forced to play on the absolute fringe, because getting anywhere near Underlord guts his damage output and makes him an easy target for the Pit and Firestorm combination. Kez wants to duel, but Underlord is too tanky to be burst down and passively makes the duel unwinnable for the carry. Kez has to hope his team can control Underlord long enough for him to do anything, while Underlord has to do little more than exist.