Shadow Fiend + Pugna

Why this works

Deciding on a damage build for Shadow Fiend becomes a problem when Pugna is on the team. If Shadow Fiend commits to a physical, right-click oriented game, he will constantly find his targets made immune by a friendly Decrepify. Pugna uses this spell to amplify his own damage or save a different ally, but the result is the same: Shadow Fiend is left unable to contribute his primary source of damage at a critical moment. This core contradiction between their kits is difficult to play around, as both heroes' ideal spell usage actively works against the other's.

Throughout the game, this friction leads to messy teamfights. Pugna will cast Decrepify on a priority enemy to set up his Life Drain, only for Shadow Fiend to be forced to switch targets or wait out the duration. This lost time is often enough for the enemy team to react, save their teammate, and punish the uncoordinated attack. While Shadow Fiend can opt for a magic damage build to avoid the direct conflict, it leaves the team with two fragile, magic-heavy cores who are vulnerable to the same counters, making the draft predictable.