Dark Willow vs Witch Doctor

How this matchup plays

Getting caught by Maledict is the main problem for Dark Willow in this matchup. Her survivability hinges on using Shadow Realm to become untargetable, but Maledict is an area-of-effect spell that can be placed on the ground, making it hard to dodge. Once the curse is on her, the damage continues even inside Shadow Realm, turning her best defensive tool against her. Witch Doctor’s Paralyzing Cask also has a nasty habit of finding her with a random bounce, interrupting her positioning or breaking through her defenses when she least expects it.

This dynamic makes early trades dangerous. While Dark Willow has plenty of damage and control, a single Maledict can force her out of the lane or lead to her death. Later on, her Terrorize is a fantastic answer to a channeled Death Ward, but this often trades one ultimate for another. In fights where ultimates are not the focus, Witch Doctor generally has an easier time applying his spells to key targets. Dark Willow has to play a step ahead, anticipating his moves, while Witch Doctor can often get his job done by landing his core spells in the general chaos of a teamfight.