Death Prophet vs Phantom Lancer

How this matchup plays

Trying to take towers with Exorcism becomes a huge liability against Phantom Lancer. His constant stream of illusions soaks up all the spirit damage, effectively neutralizing Death Prophet's main objective-taking tool. This means her biggest timing—a fresh ultimate ready to push—is often wasted before it can touch a building. Spirit Siphon also struggles, as finding the real PL in the chaos to drain his health is nearly impossible. His illusions simply overwhelm her damage output, which is mostly focused on one or two targets at a time.

As the game progresses, Phantom Lancer can farm aggressively and force fights, knowing Exorcism poses little threat. He can dispel Crypt Swarm with Doppelganger and, with a Diffusal Blade, quickly burn through Death Prophet's small mana pool. She is forced onto the back foot, unable to lead the charge her team expects. Her allies have to compensate with heavy area-of-effect damage. If they can't, PL's army will run over the entire team while the ghosts harmlessly bounce off illusions.