Kunkka vs Rubick

How this matchup plays

Trying to land a big Ghostship combo becomes a liability against Rubick. Kunkka’s most impactful spells are all prime targets for Spell Steal, turning his own initiation tools against his team. A stolen Torrent provides a reliable stun, and a stolen X Marks the Spot can be a death sentence for a caught-out ally. But the real prize is Ghostship itself. Rubick getting his own boat often completely reverses the outcome of a teamfight, giving his team the damage reduction and stun that Kunkka was relying on.

This puts a lot of pressure on the Kunkka player to be mindful of his spell usage and positioning. He can still threaten Rubick with Tidebringer cleaves, forcing the squishy support to play from a distance. The goal for Kunkka is often to burst Rubick down before the combo even finishes, preventing any spell theft. For Rubick, the game is about surviving the initial hit and being in the right place to punish Kunkka’s commitment. Because Kunkka can simply win by right-clicking, Rubick’s advantage isn't guaranteed.