Anti-Mage vs Witch Doctor

How this matchup plays

Laning against a Witch Doctor can be a headache for Anti-Mage. The main problem is Maledict. It punishes the typical escape pattern of blinking away at low health; any damage Anti-Mage takes while the curse is active gets tallied up for a final burst that often kills him after he thinks he's safe. This threat is amplified by Paralyzing Cask, which can hold him in place long enough for allies to pile on damage or for Death Ward to start channeling. Even early on, the combination of harass and stuns makes it tough for him to secure farm.

This pressure can delay Anti-Mage's core item timings, which is how Witch Doctor creates a slight advantage. The tables can turn completely once Anti-Mage gets his farm, though. With a Manta Style and Blink, he can close the distance instantly, and Witch Doctor is fragile enough to die before getting his full combo off. The matchup often comes down to positioning. If Anti-Mage gets the jump, he usually wins the duel. If Witch Doctor and his team see the initiation coming, they can lock him down and let Maledict do its work.