Rubick + Troll Warlord

Why this works

Thinking this duo is a powerhouse is a common mistake. Rubick's value is almost entirely based on the spells he can steal, and Troll Warlord doesn't have any special interactions that make those stolen spells better. Telekinesis offers a reliable lift for Troll to get his Fervor stacks going, and Fade Bolt can soften up targets, but that's a basic level of support any carry would appreciate. There isn't a deeper mechanical link here; the pair's success depends more on the enemy draft than on their own specific coordination.

In lane, they can set up kills with a simple Telekinesis into Whirling Axes combo. As the game progresses, however, their goals can diverge. Troll Warlord wants to run at heroes and stay on them, especially during Battle Trance, while Rubick needs to play from a safer position to find the perfect Spell Steal. This can lead to situations where a big stolen ultimate from Rubick can't be fully utilized because Troll is already uncontrollably attacking a different target. They can function together, but neither hero fundamentally changes what the other wants to do.