Bristleback + Lifestealer

Why this works

Running into the enemy team becomes a much safer proposition with this pairing. Lifestealer can use Infest on Bristleback, getting a free ride on a very durable frontliner who naturally draws enemy fire and spells. Once Bristleback has soaked up the initial attention and built up his own damage, Lifestealer can emerge with his own magic immunity from Rage. The enemy team is often left with key abilities on cooldown and their focus split, giving Lifestealer a clean window to attack a priority target. This gives them a reliable way to start fights on their own terms.

This advantage lets the duo set the pace of the mid-game, pressuring towers and forcing reactions. The goal is to keep the pressure on, with Bristleback creating chaos and Lifestealer capitalizing on it. However, experienced opponents will try to kite the pair, using slows and long-range lockdown to keep Bristleback from ever closing the distance. If the enemy team has enough control to lock down and burst Bristleback from range, Lifestealer can be forced out of Infest in a terrible position with no way to contribute, stalling out the whole plan.