After Rocket Grab (Q) misses, Alistar chains Headbutt (W)'s targeted knockback into Pulverize (Q)'s knock-up. Unbreakable Will (R)'s damage reduction lets him survive the follow-up and continue the melee fight.

Pyke is a squishy assassin, so once Alistar locks him down with Headbutt (W)-Pulverize (Q) he cannot escape, and Unbreakable Will (R)'s damage reduction keeps Alistar's health above Death From Below (R)'s execute threshold, winning the duel.

Thresh's Death Sentence (Q) is a skillshot that can miss, but Alistar's Headbutt (W)-Pulverize (Q) engage is guaranteed; tankier and able to cleanse Flay (E) and other CC with Unbreakable Will (R), he dives Thresh down.

Morgana's Black Shield (E) fully blocks the knockback/knockup CC of Alistar's Headbutt (W) and Pulverize (Q), neutralizing his engage, then she catches Alistar back with Dark Binding (Q).

Janna pushes Alistar's melee engage away and nullifies his initiation with Monsoon (R) and Howling Gale (Q)'s knockup, then kites him with Zephyr (W)'s slow so he can never stick.

Lux chips Alistar down before he can close in with Light Binding (Q) and long-range poke, and on his engage lands a guaranteed root and burst with Light Binding (Q)-Final Spark (R), seizing lane priority even though he isn't squishy.

Karma poke-harasses Alistar continuously with Inner Flame (Q) empowered by Mantra (P), and protects her ally with the shield and speed of an empowered Inspire (E), rendering his initiation meaningless and steering the lane in her favor.