Arc Warden vs Slardar

How this matchup plays

Picking a split-pushing core like Arc Warden means you have to consider how the enemy can find and kill the real hero. Slardar is particularly good at this because Corrosive Haze reveals the true Arc Warden, removing the guesswork of which one to target. The vision and true sight from Haze also neuters common defensive items like Glimmer Cape or Shadow Blade. Once the real Arc is marked, the armor reduction makes him incredibly soft, allowing Slardar to blink in with a Slithereen Crush and quickly finish him off with physical attacks.

This dynamic forces the Arc Warden player to be extremely careful with positioning. Slardar will always be hunting for an opening to apply his ultimate and initiate a kill. The main counterplay from Arc Warden is a well-timed Magnetic Field, as the evasion can completely shut down Slardar’s physical burst and buy time for a reposition or for his team to peel. The fight often comes down to whether Slardar can land his spells on the real hero before Arc can get his defensive field down.