Riki vs Rubick

How this matchup plays

Stealing a powerful ultimate is difficult when you’re silenced inside a Smoke Screen. This is the core of the problem for Rubick, as Riki’s cloud prevents him from using Telekinesis to escape or casting Spell Steal to fight back. Riki is built to find and burst fragile heroes, and his ability to appear, silence, and attack from the back makes him a natural predator. Even if Riki uses Tricks of the Trade, the silence often lands first, leaving Rubick unable to copy the spell that’s killing him.

Throughout the match, Rubick is forced to play cautiously, relying heavily on sentry wards and sticking close to allies who can save him. Riki will constantly be looking for an angle to jump the back lines and secure a quick kill on him. The matchup isn't entirely one-sided, however. The constant threat of a stolen Tricks of the Trade means the Riki player can't be careless. A quick Rubick who survives the initial silence can steal that ultimate and turn a fight on its head, which is enough to keep Riki honest.