Batrider vs Bristleback

How this matchup plays

Getting pulled by Flaming Lasso is usually a death sentence, but for Bristleback, it can be an opportunity. Being dragged into the enemy team puts him in the perfect position to spam Quill Spray, punishing the very heroes trying to kill him. Batrider’s plan relies on bursting a target during the pull, but Bristleback’s passive reduces damage from behind, making him surprisingly tanky while being dragged. The sustained damage from Sticky Napalm also struggles to overcome his natural durability and item choices.

Across the game, this means Batrider often has to ignore Bristleback and try to find a different initiation target. This is more difficult than it sounds, as Bristleback can use his body to screen for his supports, making it harder for Batrider to find a clean jump with Firefly. While Batrider can certainly play around him and target others, having a primary frontliner who is also your worst target makes setting up kills more complicated. This consistent awkwardness for Batrider is what creates the slight advantage for Bristleback's team.