Kez vs Lich

How this matchup plays

Fighting into a Frost Shield is a nightmare for any physical damage hero, and Kez is no exception. Lich completely undermines Kez’s ability to duel by placing the shield on his target, crippling both attack speed and damage output. The constant slows from Frost Blast and the shield itself prevent Kez from sticking to anyone long enough to switch stances and apply pressure. If Kez ever does commit, Sinister Gaze is a simple but effective lockdown that holds him in place for a counter-attack. Kez’s parry-based defenses offer little protection from the targeted spells that define Lich’s kit.

This advantage for Lich starts in the laning stage and scales throughout the game. Kez finds it nearly impossible to win trades or secure kills against a lane with Lich in it. In mid-game teamfights, Lich can completely neutralize Kez’s dive potential on a key target with a single spell. This forces Kez to either wait for the shield to expire, potentially losing the fight, or commit to a target knowing his damage will be ineffective. The only counterplay for Kez is a very early Black King Bar, which is a difficult timing to achieve when you're already playing from behind.