Phantom Assassin vs Templar Assassin

How this matchup plays

Relying on Refraction to survive a jump feels shaky against Phantom Assassin. TA’s shield blocks a set number of damage instances, and PA’s Phantom Strike provides a burst of fast attacks that can burn through all the charges almost instantly. This often leaves Templar Assassin vulnerable to follow-up right-clicks and a potential Coup de Grace. On the other side, Phantom Assassin's Blur makes her a difficult target for TA to burst down with a Meld strike, as the evasion can cause the physical damage combo to fail if a key hit misses.

Templar Assassin usually has an advantage in the early laning stage and looks to build a lead from there. The matchup turns once Phantom Assassin gets a few core items and starts looking for fights. Both heroes want to accomplish similar goals: find isolated targets, burst them down, and snowball the map. In a direct confrontation, however, PA's kit is often better equipped to handle TA's. Templar Assassin has to play carefully, using Psionic Traps to maintain distance or get the jump herself. Phantom Assassin, meanwhile, can be more direct, trusting her evasion and ability to strip away Refraction.