Earth Spirit + Hoodwink

Why this works

Controlling the early game with this pair relies on chaining their disables together for pickoffs. Earth Spirit can use his mobility from Rolling Boulder to get in, then knock or pull an enemy right next to a tree. This gives Hoodwink an easy setup for her Bushwhack, rooting the target in place for a long duration. A successful combo like this often means a guaranteed kill, especially if Hoodwink can then channel a full Sharpshooter on the immobilized hero. This potential for lockdown is the main reason you'd see these two heroes picked together.

The problem is that the whole sequence is brittle. Both Earth Spirit and Hoodwink are using skillshots that can miss, and the setup requires specific positioning near trees. A failed gank attempt means both heroes have rotated for no reason, losing out on farm and letting the enemy off the hook. This inconsistency is what holds the duo back. When their combo clicks, they can take over the map. When it doesn't, they can feel like they're accomplishing very little, which is why their performance together tends to average out.