Kunkka vs Shadow Shaman

How this matchup plays

Trying to land a full combo on a key target is Kunkka’s main goal, but this gets complicated when Shadow Shaman is on the other team. Kunkka relies on the setup from X Marks the Spot, and Shaman’s Hex is an instant answer that can completely disrupt the sequence before the target is even pulled back. Even if Kunkka gets his Torrent or Ghostship off, Shadow Shaman can often still survive and turn the fight with a last-second disable on Kunkka himself. The delayed, telegraphed nature of Kunkka’s lockdown is a bit less reliable when facing instant, targeted control.

Throughout a match, this means Kunkka has to be much more careful about his positioning and targets. He can’t simply mark a hero near Shadow Shaman and expect a free kill; instead, he has to wait for Hex to be used on an ally or try to catch Shaman from the fog of war. In return, Shadow Shaman is always looking for Kunkka, knowing that a successful Shackle or Hex on the captain can prevent a teamfight-winning boat. It becomes a game of prediction, but Shaman’s tools are a bit easier to execute in these tense moments.