Crystal Maiden vs Kunkka

How this matchup plays

Picking a support to shut down a melee core often leads you to Crystal Maiden. Her combination of a slow from Crystal Nova and a root from Frostbite makes Kunkka's early game very difficult. She can repeatedly harass him, prevent him from farming safely, and set him up for easy ganks. Trying to use X Marks the Spot to escape or set up a play is unreliable when Crystal Maiden can simply hold Kunkka in place with Frostbite, letting her team collapse on him before he can finish his combo or return to safety.

As the game goes on, the matchup becomes more about initiation and positioning. Kunkka's Ghostship is an excellent tool for cancelling Freezing Field from long range, which can completely neutralize Crystal Maiden's biggest teamfight contribution. He's also always looking to catch and burst a fragile target, and she fits that description perfectly. The game often comes down to which hero gets the jump on the other. If CM catches Kunkka out of position he's likely dead, but if he lands his combo on her first, the fight can be over before it starts.