Shadow Fiend vs Warlock

How this matchup plays

Trying to burst down Warlock often feels awkward for a Shadow Fiend. Warlock's healing from Shadow Word can blunt the initial damage from Shadowrazes, buying time for his team to react. If Fatal Bonds is active, any allies helping Shadow Fiend will also take significant damage, punishing the gank attempt. This makes it risky for Shadow Fiend to commit his Requiem of Souls unless he's certain he can get the kill. However, Warlock has no mobility and is quite fragile before he gets items, so a well-executed jump with an ally can still blow him up before he can respond with his own ultimate.

The matchup throughout the game hinges on initiation. Shadow Fiend's goal is to find Warlock on the edge of a fight and eliminate him before Chaotic Offering can be cast. Warlock, in turn, wants to stay back and wait for Shadow Fiend to commit. A successful Golem drop can stun Shadow Fiend long enough to completely negate his ultimate or leave him vulnerable to a counter-initiation. Because both heroes can effectively ruin the other's teamfight plan but require specific setups to do so, neither holds a consistent advantage.