Primal Beast vs Spirit Breaker

How this matchup plays

Catching a charging Primal Beast with Charge of Darkness seems straightforward, but the matchup is much less one-sided. Spirit Breaker can indeed cancel Onslaught if he connects during its cast animation, stopping Primal Beast's initiation cold. This is a game of chicken, though. Primal Beast is incredibly durable and can often survive Spirit Breaker's initial impact. If Spirit Breaker misjudges his target or gets too close, Primal Beast can turn the fight instantly with Pulverize. The status resistance from Bulldoze helps Spirit Breaker, but it won't save him from a full combo if he's caught out of position.

The entire game revolves around which hero dictates the engagement. Spirit Breaker wants to use his global presence to gank Primal Beast's allies, forcing a reaction and picking off isolated targets. Primal Beast, in turn, often plays more of a bodyguard role, daring the Spirit Breaker to initiate into his team where he can counter-initiate with his ultimate. Success often comes down to which hero gets the jump. A well-timed Charge on a support can win a fight before Primal Beast can respond, but a failed Charge into the enemy formation gives Primal Beast the perfect target to lock down.