Dazzle vs Rubick

How this matchup plays

Stealing Shallow Grave seems like it should be the deciding factor, but the reality is more complicated. For Rubick to steal it, Dazzle has to cast it first, meaning the initial save has already happened. Rubick is then left holding a defensive spell while his team's initial burst has failed. Dazzle's other spells, like Poison Touch or Shadow Wave, are far less exciting targets for Spell Steal. This often forces Rubick into a reactive position, waiting for a key spell that Dazzle will only use at the last possible second, making the steal difficult to time and capitalize on.

Throughout the game, this dynamic tends to give Dazzle a small, consistent advantage. His job is to keep his team alive through the enemy's big spell combos, which is exactly what Rubick wants to enable and participate in. Dazzle's presence naturally makes Rubick's life harder by disrupting the flow of a teamfight with a single button press. The best-case scenario for Rubick is catching Dazzle himself with Telekinesis to prevent the Grave, but good positioning makes that difficult. Dazzle's impact is more reliable, while Rubick has to work harder for his moments.