Ember Spirit + Lich

Why this works

Picking these two heroes together feels like you're getting two solid heroes, not a specific combo lane. Lich offers some basic setup with Frost Blast and Sinister Gaze, which can help an Ember Spirit land Searing Chains. It’s a functional ganking pair. The synergy ends there, though. Ember plays a fast, in-and-out style using Fire Remnants, often from long range. This doesn't naturally set up Lich’s most powerful spell, Chain Frost, which requires enemies to be grouped together. Their abilities don't have a strong reinforcing effect on each other beyond the initial lockdown.

Throughout the game, these two often operate on different wavelengths. Ember Spirit is frequently split-pushing, looking for pickoffs on his own, and generally creating chaos across the map. Meanwhile, Lich is more comfortable playing defensively with his team, setting up vision, and waiting for the enemy to commit to a five-man fight where he can use his ultimate effectively. They can certainly fight together when the opportunity arises, but their core objectives don't pull them in the same direction. They each succeed or fail based on their own merits rather than as a dedicated pair.