Grimstroke vs Warlock

How this matchup plays

Picking Grimstroke into Warlock is often about one specific interaction: Soulbind. Catching Warlock and his core with the ultimate can be devastating, as your team can focus down two key targets with single-target spells. However, Warlock’s own abilities don't interact with Soulbind in a way that puts him at a major disadvantage. His Fatal Bonds and Chaotic Offering are area-of-effect spells that function normally, and he can simply use Shadow Word to try and sustain a Soulbound ally. Grimstroke enables a punish, but doesn’t directly counter Warlock’s game plan.

During the laning phase, they tend to trade evenly, with Grimstroke's poke balanced by Warlock's sustain. Later, teamfights hinge on which hero acts first. Warlock wants to land a big Golem and channel Upheaval to control the entire area, making it difficult for anyone to get close. Grimstroke’s job is to find an initiation on Warlock before that happens, using Soulbind to turn a gank into a fight-winning double kill. The outcome depends entirely on which side gets the jump, making this a very even trade.