Kunkka vs Outworld Destroyer

How this matchup plays

Trying to land a big combo often comes down to a duel of cooldowns. Kunkka sets up his Torrent and Ghostship with X Marks the Spot, but a well-timed Astral Imprisonment from Outworld Destroyer can completely negate the setup, saving the target. On the other hand, if OD uses Astral too early or on the wrong hero, Kunkka can use X to guarantee a kill on him, as he's quite fragile without his defensive tool. The whole fight can hinge on who blinks first and forces the other's key spell.

This dynamic makes the mid lane a tense battle of attrition. Kunkka can try to bully with Tidebringer cleaves, but Outworld Destroyer can often trade back effectively with pure damage from Arcane Orb, punishing any misstep. Later on, the game becomes about pickoffs. A Kunkka who catches OD out of position can remove him before a fight starts. An OD who manages to save his core from Kunkka's initiation can easily turn the tables and win the ensuing engagement. It really depends on who gets the jump and who has their abilities ready.