Centaur Warrunner vs Earthshaker

How this matchup plays

A full-team Stampede from Centaur Warrunner can create a very dangerous setup for his own team. Grouping up for the charge provides Earthshaker with a prime opportunity for a multi-hero Echo Slam. The more allies Centaur brings with him, the more damage the counter-initiation can inflict. On top of that, a well-placed Fissure can split the charge, isolating Centaur from his team or stopping the gank entirely. This gives Earthshaker some decent tools to answer Centaur's primary method of starting a fight.

The matchup often comes down to a game of chicken over initiation. Centaur Warrunner wants to build a Blink Dagger and jump directly on Earthshaker, using Hoof Stomp to prevent the Echo Slam from ever being cast. Earthshaker, in turn, wants to position himself out of sight, waiting for the Stampede to begin so he can land his spells on a committed and clumped-up enemy team. Since the fight's outcome frequently depends on which hero gets the drop on the other, it can swing in either direction.