Pugna vs Shadow Shaman

How this matchup plays

Trying to channel Life Drain against a Shadow Shaman is often a losing battle. He has two separate disables, Hex and Shackles, that can break the channel from range. This neutralizes Pugna's main source of damage and healing in a fight. While Nether Ward can punish Shadow Shaman for using his expensive spells, it's not a foolproof defense. The ward can be focused down, and Shaman can often use his cheaper disables to lock Pugna down before the ward deals significant return damage.

In teamfights, Pugna has to be extremely careful with his positioning. He wants to play far back and use Decrepify defensively, but Shadow Shaman can often find an angle for a quick Hex. If Pugna gets caught, he’s usually dead. This forces the Pugna player to rely on their team for saves or buy items that allow for instant repositioning. Shadow Shaman, on the other hand, can play his normal game of disabling key targets; his main concern is simply placing his ultimate wards outside the Nether Ward's radius.