Pugna + Slark

Why this works

Catching a hero with Slark's Pounce can create a problem. Pugna, seeing a held-down target, might try to help by casting Decrepify to amplify his own Nether Blast. This makes the target immune to physical attacks, leaving Slark leashing an enemy he cannot hit. The entire reason Slark jumps on heroes is to build up Essence Shift stacks with his attacks, a goal that Pugna's kit directly conflicts with. While the Pounce does hold someone still for Pugna to land his spells, their core damage plans actively work against each other in that critical moment.

This fundamental conflict of interest defines their partnership. For the combo to work, Pugna must be very deliberate, either saving Decrepify for a different enemy or using it to save Slark from physical damage at the cost of disarming him. Slark generally prefers to handle his own survival with Dark Pact and Shadow Dance. Pugna can offer a Life Drain to sustain Slark between fights, but the core of their teamfight contribution remains uncoordinated. They tend to operate as two individuals fighting near each other rather than a cohesive unit.