Drow Ranger + Nyx Assassin

Why this works

Drafting this pair often hinges on whether you think you can find isolated pickoffs. Drow Ranger needs a target to be held in place to unleash her damage, and Nyx Assassin is excellent at providing that initial lockdown. Using Vendetta to scout and position, Nyx can find an opening for an Impale, giving Drow a clean window to attack. Mana Burn can also be a significant nuisance, stripping away the resources an enemy needs to cast a defensive spell or escape ability. Drow follows up with Frost Arrows, making it very difficult for the target to create distance once the stun is over.

This combination is strongest during the mid-game, when the two can roam together to hunt for kills and create space. A successful gank often chains Nyx Assassin's stun into Drow Ranger's Gust, silencing the target to prevent any counter-play before they go down. The plan is less effective against teams that group up early and maintain good vision control. If Nyx can't find a safe initiation, he can be exposed and killed, leaving Drow without a front line or setup. This reliance on finding good openings keeps the pairing from being a dominant strategy, but it can be effective in the right game.