Lina vs Venomancer

How this matchup plays

Trying to burst a target through Venomancer's poison feels like a race against the clock. Lina has more than enough magical damage with Light Strike Array and Laguna Blade to kill Venomancer from full health. The problem is getting into position to do so. Venomancer’s slows from Venomous Gale and Poison Sting make it difficult for Lina to approach or chase, while his Plague Wards provide vision that can spoil gank attempts. If Lina can’t secure the kill instantly, the sustained damage-over-time will often turn the exchange against her.

The matchup often comes down to who gets the jump and which key items are online. A well-timed Black King Bar allows Lina to completely ignore Venomancer's spells and burst him down. The challenge is that Venomancer doesn't necessarily need to survive the fight to have an impact. If he can cast Poison Nova on Lina and her teammates before being focused, he has already done his job by creating a chaotic, low-health engagement where Lina is vulnerable to his allies, even if she personally survives the poison.