Lina vs Templar Assassin

How this matchup plays

Trying to trade in the mid lane often feels frustrating for Templar Assassin. Lina can consistently strip away Refraction charges from a safe distance using Dragon Slave, leaving TA vulnerable to follow-up harassment. This forces Templar Assassin to play cautiously, relying on creep equilibrium and the occasional Meld strike to secure farm. Lina generally dictates the pace of the lane with her superior range and spell pressure, making it difficult for TA to build the early momentum she needs to snowball into the mid-game.

The matchup then becomes a contest of positioning and initiation. A farmed Templar Assassin with a Blink Dagger can instantly delete Lina if she finds an opening, often before Lina can even cast a spell. The fight is frequently decided by who gets the jump. Lina's response is to build items that help her survive the initial burst, like a Eul's Scepter, giving her the chance to counter-initiate with Light Strike Array and Laguna Blade. It really comes down to which hero can better execute their game plan: TA's surprise assassination or Lina's kiting and counter-burst.