Anti-Mage + Clinkz

Why this works

Sharing the map can be a challenge for this duo. Both Anti-Mage and Clinkz want to operate deep in enemy territory, but they have conflicting goals. Anti-Mage needs quiet, safe lanes and jungles to accelerate his farm, drawing enemies out by split-pushing. Clinkz also wants to be on the enemy's side of the map, but to hunt for solo kills. A successful Clinkz forces the other team to group up and use detection, which creates a hostile environment that is very dangerous for a farming Anti-Mage. The space Clinkz makes isn't the kind of space his carry can easily use.

This tension usually comes to a head in the mid-game. The lineup is often forced to decide whether to play around Clinkz's pickoff timings or to protect Anti-Mage until he has his key items. If the enemy team groups and pushes in response to Clinkz's aggression, this pair has very little teamfight control or wave clear to defend towers effectively. The game plan relies on surviving this awkward phase. If they can extend the game, having two cores who can output immense physical damage and take buildings can be effective, but navigating the path to get there is what makes this pairing inconsistent.