Lich + Viper

Why this works

Stacking slows from both Lich and Viper can make it difficult for an enemy to disengage. Viper's persistent poison and Lich's Frost Blast create a zone of control that discourages aggression. With Frost Shield cast on him, Viper becomes much more resilient to physical damage, letting him stand his ground and trade more effectively during the laning stage. This allows him to apply his corrosive damage for longer periods. The combination is quite effective against heroes who lack mobility, but an opponent with a reliable escape or blink can often negate the pressure, as neither hero offers a hard lockdown to truly secure a kill.

The general game plan is to leverage this early pressure to get Viper ahead. In mid-game fights, Lich's goal is to keep Viper alive with Frost Shield and use Sinister Gaze to hold a key target inside Viper's Nethertoxin. This can be effective for burning down a single hero. The duo’s success, however, depends on being able to kite the enemy team. If the opposing side has strong initiation and can close the distance quickly, they can often burst Viper down before his sustained damage becomes a factor, bypassing the entire strategy and leaving Lich without a primary carry to protect.