Axe vs Bloodseeker

How this matchup plays

Controlling the tempo of a fight is a two-way street here. Axe wants to jump in and lock targets down with Berserker's Call, and a caught Bloodseeker is usually a dead Bloodseeker. He's a single-target hero who can't afford to be held in place and forced to attack a spinning Axe. In response, Bloodseeker uses Rupture to punish Axe's aggression. An Axe who has to stand still or take huge damage to move is an initiator who can’t initiate. This creates a standoff where the hero who lands their big spell first often dictates the outcome of the engagement.

The whole mid-game revolves around which hero gets the jump. Axe will play around vision, looking for the perfect angle to Blink and Call Bloodseeker before he can react. Bloodseeker’s team plays to prevent this, trying to apply Rupture from a safe distance to neuter Axe before the fight even begins. If Axe gets low on health and tries to retreat, Bloodseeker's Thirst gives his whole team vision, making it incredibly difficult for Axe to disengage and recover by farming the jungle. It’s a constant battle of positioning and who sees who first.