Gyrocopter vs Slark

How this matchup plays

Farming the map against Slark is a nightmare for Gyrocopter. The core issue is that Slark is purpose-built to isolate and execute a single target, and Gyrocopter is an ideal victim with no natural escape. A successful Pounce is often a death sentence. Slark’s Dark Pact cleanses the slow from Rocket Barrage, allowing him to stick to his target, while Shadow Dance makes him untargetable, completely nullifying Gyrocopter's right-click damage and ultimate. All the while, Slark builds permanent Agility with Essence Shift, making each subsequent encounter even harder for the Gyrocopter to survive.

This matchup forces Gyrocopter to play from behind. He can’t safely show in a lane to push or farm a jungle camp alone once Slark has a few levels and a core item. This constricts Gyrocopter’s economy and forces him to group with his team much earlier than he wants, slowing his item timings. Slark gets to set the tempo, roaming the map looking for pickoffs that directly translate into a permanent stat advantage. Gyrocopter is relegated to a more passive role, needing his team’s constant protection to have any impact in fights.