Beastmaster vs Dark Willow

How this matchup plays

Controlling a Beastmaster's aggression seems straightforward on paper for Dark Willow. She has plenty of area control like Bramble Maze to stop him and his summons from running at her team. The reality is that this matchup is a duel of key abilities. Beastmaster is always looking for an opening to use Primal Roar on a high-value target like Willow, and his boar's slow makes it difficult for her to escape once she is caught. Her entire game plan against him revolves around dodging that initial lockdown. If she can use Shadow Realm to avoid the Roar, she can often turn the fight.

This creates a constant tension throughout the game. Fights are decided by who gets the jump and executes better. A well-placed hawk can give Beastmaster the vision he needs for a clean initiation, often resulting in a dead Dark Willow before she can react. On the other hand, if Willow and her team catch Beastmaster first, her layered stuns and roots can hold him in place to be focused down. Her Terrorize is also a powerful counter-initiation that can completely reset a fight after he commits his ultimate, making engagements highly unpredictable.