Lich vs Slark

How this matchup plays

Facing a Lich can be uniquely frustrating for a Slark. Most disables and slows can be shed with a well-timed Dark Pact, but Lich’s Sinister Gaze is a channel that can’t be purged, holding Slark in place for a lethal duration. This completely bypasses Slark's primary defensive tool. On top of that, Frost Shield is a constant headache, applying a strong attack slow that makes it incredibly difficult for him to build Essence Shift stacks and burst down a target. These two spells alone severely disrupt Slark's typical hit-and-run game plan.

The matchup often comes down to positioning and cooldowns. In teamfights, a patient Lich can hold his spells to neutralize Slark the moment he commits with Pounce. However, a smart Slark will play the map, avoiding direct confrontation until Lich has used his Gaze on someone else. Slark is also excellent at hunting isolated supports, and Lich is a slow, fragile target if caught out. It becomes a game of cat and mouse where if Slark gets the jump, Lich dies quickly, but if Lich is ready, Slark can't play his game.