Outworld Destroyer + Phantom Lancer

Why this works

Trying to burst down a Phantom Lancer who has an Outworld Destroyer nearby can be frustrating. A well-timed Astral Imprisonment can completely negate a gank attempt, giving Phantom Lancer a window to use Doppelganger and escape or re-engage. Outworld Destroyer also provides a different damage type, forcing enemies to build defenses against both his pure damage and PL's physical attacks. This pairing isn't a natural fit, however. OD’s save can sometimes disrupt PL's army by causing illusions to lose their target, and neither hero offers the hard lockdown that the other would appreciate for setting up their own damage.

The success of this duo often comes down to timing and space. Both heroes require significant farm to be effective, and they generally operate independently until the mid-game. If they can secure their core items without falling too far behind, they can become a two-pronged threat in teamfights. The enemy's goal is typically to pressure them early and punish their separate farming patterns. Fights are decided by coordination—whether OD can successfully save PL from a critical spell, or if the enemy can pick one of them off before the other can have an impact.