Death Prophet vs Phantom Assassin

How this matchup plays

Picking a side in this matchup often comes down to who you think will get to set the terms of engagement. Phantom Assassin can close the distance instantly with Phantom Strike and threaten a quick kill, which a hero like Death Prophet often struggles against before she has defensive items. However, jumping in is a huge risk for Phantom Assassin. Death Prophet's Silence can trap her in place, and fighting near her during Exorcism is a good way to die even if you get the kill. Her Spirit Siphon also drains health steadily, punishing a commitment.

The game then becomes a question of vision and positioning. A Phantom Assassin will look for opportunities to jump a lone Death Prophet who is pushing a lane, using Blur's map invisibility to find a good angle. The goal is to strike when Exorcism is on cooldown or before a teamfight can start. In response, Death Prophet needs to either play safer with her team or accelerate her item build towards a Ghost Scepter or Eul's Scepter. These items can completely negate PA's initial burst, allowing DP and her team to turn the tables.