Bristleback + Lion

Why this works

Chasing an enemy as Bristleback can feel hopeless when they simply walk away. Pairing him with a Lion provides a straightforward answer to this problem. Lion’s Earth Spike and Hex give Bristleback the crucial moments of lockdown he needs to get in close, apply Viscous Goo, and start stacking up damage. Bristleback returns the favor by being an enormous distraction. He's a durable front-liner who soaks up spells and attention, creating a safe pocket for a fragile hero like Lion to stand in and deliver his crowd control without being immediately focused down.

This partnership is effective when the two can coordinate on a single hero, but it can be played around. The entire plan relies on Lion landing his initial spells. If the target has a way to dodge the stun or a teammate ready with a save, the gank can fall apart quickly. Opponents will often try to disengage from Bristleback and instead turn on the much softer Lion. The success of this duo often comes down to picking the right target at the right time, as they can struggle against teams with good positioning and defensive items.