Lion + Io

Why this works

Tethering a Lion provides some much-needed mobility, helping him position for Earth Spike or Hex. The main play for this duo is using Relocate to bring Lion in for a surprise gank, often securing a kill on an unsuspecting target. This works because Lion's lockdown is instant. The problem is that Lion is a very fragile hero. Even with Io's help, he can get focused and killed before he can unload his full spell combo. After his initial burst, Lion doesn't offer the sustained damage that Io typically wants to amplify with his own abilities, making the connection feel temporary.

The success of this lane partnership really hinges on those early Relocate ganks. If they can build a lead, the constant threat of a global gank can control the map. If those attempts fail or the enemy team plays safely with good vision, the pairing loses its primary advantage. In larger teamfights, Io will often find a better hero to enable—usually a durable core who benefits more from the constant healing and damage reduction. While Io can certainly save a committed Lion, the overall game plan doesn't always align, leading to a partnership that looks good on paper but is merely average in practice.