Pangolier vs Tidehunter

How this matchup plays

Thinking you can lock down and burst Tidehunter is a common mistake. Pangolier's kit, especially Swashbuckle, is great for applying disruptive effects, but Tidehunter's Kraken Shell can passively dispel many of them. This makes him a uniquely frustrating target to pin down or disarm. The bigger problem is Ravage. A hero like Pangolier who wants to roll through the middle of a teamfight is an ideal target for that huge area stun. Once he’s caught, his mobility is gone and he’s usually finished.

This forces Pangolier to play more cautiously around teamfights. Instead of initiating, he has to look for opportunities on the edges, using his speed to pick off other targets while staying clear of Tidehunter’s effective range. The game becomes about baiting cooldowns. A good Pangolier will try to force out Ravage before committing with his own ultimate. However, Tidehunter’s presence alone restricts Pangolier's movement and forces him away from his ideal play pattern, which is often enough to give his team the upper hand.