Dark Willow vs Tidehunter

How this matchup plays

Applying a Cursed Crown to Tidehunter often feels less effective than it does on other heroes. His Kraken Shell will frequently dispel the stun as soon as Dark Willow and her team start dealing damage, allowing him to walk free. This makes it very difficult for her to land her full combo or secure a kill on him. Even trying to trap him in Bramble Maze can be unreliable, as the damage needed to kill him can trigger the dispel and break the root. He can often ignore her initial attempts at control.

Because of this, ganking a Tidehunter in lane becomes a risky proposition. If Dark Willow can’t secure the lockdown, he gets to turn the fight with Anchor Smash or a timely Ravage. Her best approach is to either focus other targets or try to bait the dispel with a less important spell before committing her stun. For Tidehunter, the plan is simpler: absorb whatever Dark Willow throws at him, shrug it off, and then initiate. This reliability is what gives him a slight edge throughout the game.