Phantom Lancer vs Windranger

How this matchup plays

Relying on Windrun to escape Phantom Lancer is a common trap. While the evasion stops physical attacks, the real problem is that Windranger’s entire kit is designed to lock down and kill a single hero. Trying to land a Shackleshot or use Focus Fire is a nightmare when there are a dozen illusions running around, and a good Phantom Lancer will use Doppelganger to dodge her spells or break her ultimate's targeting. This leaves Windranger with only Powershot to try and clear a swarm of illusions that are constantly being replaced, often while her mana is being drained away by them.

This matchup gets worse for Windranger as the game progresses. Her ability to get solo kills or safely split-push is completely shut down once Phantom Lancer is ready to fight. He can hunt her across the map, forcing her to play defensively near her towers and teammates. Her only option is to hope her team can find and burst the real hero before he gets his spells off. Phantom Lancer, on the other hand, can play aggressively, knowing that one of the enemy’s main sources of control is effectively neutralized by his basic abilities.