Sand King vs Sniper

How this matchup plays

Trying to jump a well-positioned Sniper can be a problem for Sand King. While a Blink Dagger into Burrowstrike is the classic way to kill him, Sniper has tools that complicate the approach. A few Shrapnel charges can provide vision on high ground or in trees where Sand King might be hiding to channel Epicenter. The slow also makes the approach much riskier. Because of Sniper's extreme attack range, Sand King often has to cross a lot of open ground and take heavy damage before he can even get into position to initiate a clean stun.

This tension defines how the matchup plays out. Sand King’s main timing is his Blink Dagger, and until he gets it, Sniper can often control teamfights from a very safe distance. After that point, the game becomes about vision control. The Sand King player is constantly looking for a flank or an angle where he can get his full combo off before being seen. The Sniper player, in turn, has to use Shrapnel to scout those angles and rely on his team's wards. As long as he knows where Sand King is, he can usually keep himself safe.