Grimstroke vs Mars

How this matchup plays

Picking Mars into an open Grimstroke is a difficult choice because of how their ultimates clash. Mars excels at trapping a key enemy in Arena of Blood for his team to focus down. Soulbind turns this plan against him by leashing Mars to his own target. Any single-target spell an ally uses on the trapped hero is duplicated onto Mars, forcing his team to either hold their spells or risk bursting their own initiator. Ink Swell adds to this problem, charging up a powerful stun and damage effect on anyone clustered inside the Arena trying to secure the kill.

This interaction defines the matchup for the entire game once Grimstroke has his ultimate. Mars can no longer confidently use Arena of Blood to start fights, as he risks his own demise. He is forced to either wait for Soulbind to be used on someone else, or attempt a risky initiation directly on Grimstroke, who is usually positioned safely in the back. A patient Grimstroke player can simply hold his ultimate, knowing the threat alone is enough to neutralize Mars's primary teamfight contribution and turn his signature ability into a major liability.