Sand King vs Slardar

How this matchup plays

Relying on Sand Storm for safety or to channel Epicenter feels like it should work, but Slardar’s kit has perfect answers. Corrosive Haze gives vision through Sand Storm, so Sand King can’t hide or juke after initiating. The armor reduction also makes him extremely fragile to physical attacks. On top of that, Slithereen Crush is a quick and reliable stun that can cancel Epicenter from a distance, often before the first pulse even goes off. Slardar doesn't need to commit hard to completely neutralize Sand King's biggest spell.

This dynamic forces Sand King to play with extreme caution all game. A standard Blink-Burrowstrike initiation can become a death sentence if Slardar is nearby to apply Haze and turn him into a priority target. Slardar can play much more aggressively, knowing he has the tools to counter. He will often look to lead the charge against Sand King, either catching him before a fight or waiting for the initiation to immediately punish it. This frequently turns Sand King's big teamfight moment into an easy kill for Slardar's team.