Wraith King vs Io

How this matchup plays

Thinking of Io as a direct counter to a big frontline core is a common trap. Io excels at saving an ally from a single burst of damage, but Wraith King doesn't really work that way. He’s a grinder who wears you down with right-clicks and skeletons, and Tether's healing often can't keep pace. The core issue is Reincarnation. Io might successfully use Relocate to save his partner from the first death, but Wraith King will still be there, full health, when they get back. Committing so many resources to delay a death, rather than prevent it, puts Io's team on the back foot.

The matchup often comes down to positioning and map control. Io's goal is to enable a mobile carry who can kite Wraith King, using Tether's speed bonus to stay out of stun range while playing the map with Relocate. This avoids the head-on brawls where WK excels. Wraith King's team, in turn, wants to force those direct fights. He can confidently commit to killing Io's partner, knowing his second life gives him the sustain to finish the job after Io has used all his saves. This ability to dictate the terms of engagement gives Wraith King a small but real advantage.