Anti-Mage + Kunkka

Why this works

Setting up a kill with X Marks the Spot seems straightforward, but Anti-Mage isn't the ideal hero to capitalize on it early on. Kunkka provides the lockdown, but AM lacks the immediate burst damage to secure the kill by himself. His damage comes from repeated attacks with Mana Break, not from a single powerful spell combo. While Kunkka’s Ghostship and Torrent can hold an enemy in place, Anti-Mage would rather be farming a different lane than rotating for a pickoff attempt that might not even work. A late-game Mana Void can finish a target Kunkka has caught, but getting to that point can be awkward.

The core issue comes down to conflicting game plans. Kunkka excels at forcing mid-game teamfights where his Tidebringer and boat can control multiple enemies. At that same stage of the game, Anti-Mage wants to be split-pushing and avoiding full-on engagements until he has his key items. This often means Kunkka is trying to fight with his team while Anti-Mage is on the other side of the map. While the two don't actively work against each other, their natural timings and preferred map movements rarely overlap, leading to a disjointed strategy that neither hero fully benefits from.