Axe vs Slardar

How this matchup plays

Trying to burst down an Axe can be a real problem for Slardar and his team. Slardar's whole game is about reducing armor with Corrosive Haze and then having physical damage dealers pile on. The issue is that Axe almost always builds a Blade Mail. When Axe uses Berserker's Call, he forces Slardar to attack him, and the Blade Mail reflects all that physical damage right back. This turns Slardar's own strength against him, especially since Axe can often finish him off with Culling Blade if he gets low from the reflected damage.

The matchup often comes down to initiation. If Slardar can get the jump and stun Axe before he can blink in and call, he can prevent the whole combo. But if Axe lands a good call, Slardar is in a tough spot. He's either forced to damage himself hitting Axe, or his team has to hold their fire during the taunt and wait out the Blade Mail, giving Axe's team a window to counter-attack. It creates a hesitation that gives Axe's team a slight but important advantage in those crucial mid-game teamfights.