Pudge vs Tidehunter

How this matchup plays

Trying to get a solo kill on Tidehunter is often a frustrating experience for Pudge. Even if a Meat Hook lands perfectly, Tidehunter's Kraken Shell can dispel the Rot slow, allowing him to simply walk away before Dismember can be channeled. The passive damage block also reduces the effectiveness of Pudge’s entire combo, meaning Tidehunter can frequently survive situations that would kill other heroes. This inherent toughness makes him a very difficult gank target, disrupting Pudge's primary way of creating pressure on the map.

This dynamic allows Tidehunter to farm more securely and hit his key item timings. While Pudge is trying to set up a difficult gank, Tide is getting closer to Ravage and the items he needs to win a teamfight. For Pudge's team to succeed, they need to commit multiple heroes with additional lockdown to overwhelm Kraken Shell, or Pudge has to find more vulnerable targets elsewhere. This often gives Tidehunter the space he needs to become a major problem in the mid-game.