Underlord + Anti-Mage

Why this works

Using Fiend's Gate to rescue a split-pushing Anti-Mage who gets caught is a definite upside to this pairing. The fundamental problem is that Underlord and Anti-Mage want to play completely different games for the first half hour. Underlord is a teamfight anchor; he wants to group up, control areas with Firestorm and Pit of Malice, and force objectives with his team. Anti-Mage wants to be on the other side of the map hitting creeps, avoiding fights until he has a significant item advantage. Their core timings and goals are often at odds.

This creates a high-stakes race. The responsibility falls on Underlord and the rest of his team to create enough pressure and win fights while playing four-on-five. If they can successfully defend towers and make space, Anti-Mage gets the farm he needs to eventually carry the game. However, if the four-man lineup crumbles under enemy pressure, Anti-Mage is left on an island with no safe space to farm, trying to salvage a losing map. It's a strategy that can work, but it has very little margin for error.