Lich vs Pudge

How this matchup plays

Trying to burst down a hooked target is Pudge's whole plan, and Lich makes that difficult. Frost Shield provides a significant buffer, reducing incoming damage and slowing Pudge down if he tries to stay on top with Rot. This can give the hooked ally enough time to survive the initial Dismember combo. Lich can also peel effectively after a hook lands; Sinister Gaze can pull Pudge away from his victim, and Frost Blast can slow his follow-up. The threat of a Chain Frost bouncing between Pudge and his target during a close-range brawl also makes him hesitate before fully committing.

In lane, this means Pudge has a harder time securing kills, but a successful hook on Lich himself is still usually fatal. As the game progresses, Pudge will often need a Black King Bar to reliably kill a key target without getting controlled or having his damage mitigated by Lich's spells. For Lich's team, the goal is to stay close enough that a hook doesn't create an isolated pickoff, allowing Lich to counter-initiate. A smart Pudge will try to find Lich out of position first or wait for his key defensive cooldowns before going for a hook on a more important core.