Updated patch 26.18 · 1.5M high-elo games
Maokai
Vanguard · magic (AP) damage
49.7%Win rate
0.8%Pick rate
2KGames
BTier · Support
Maokai is a Vanguard that deals magic (AP) damage and brings airborne, root, slow. Some of their lockdown (airborne) ignores tenacity, so you dodge it; you can't cleanse or Merc' through it. Below is Maokai's highest-win-rate build from high-elo games; open the counter-build tool to tune it against your specific enemy team.
ABILITIES
PassiveSap Magic
Maokai's basic attack also heals him and deals additional damage on a moderate cooldown. Each time Maokai casts a spell or is struck by an enemy's spell, this cooldown is reduced.
QBramble Smash
Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.
WTwisted Advance
Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.
ESapling Toss
Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.
RNature's Grasp
Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.
COMBAT PROFILE
PLAYING ASMaokai
- Saplings can be tossed into brush for empowered effect - but don't stack well.
- Try looking for flanks or other situations where Nature's Grasp is unavoidable or takes enemies by surprise.
- Maokai's passive makes him extremely durable against focus fire from spells - so long as he can still basic attack something.
PLAYING AGAINSTMaokai
- Saplings will chase the first enemy that gets too close, but detonate after a few seconds or if they collide with other enemies. Be especially careful around brush sapling, as they are much more dangerous.
- The cooldown on Maokai's self healing is heavily gated on how many time you hit him with spells. Careful about wasting abilities on him.
- Maokai will avoid taking damage while he's using Twisted Advance, so don't waste your spells.
CROWD CONTROL
Airborneignores tenacityFROMQ Bramble SmashE Sapling TossRoottenacity helpsFROMW Twisted AdvanceR Nature's GraspSlowignores tenacityFROMQ Bramble SmashE Sapling TossR Nature's Grasp
Q Bramble SmashE Sapling TossRoottenacity helpsFROMW Twisted AdvanceR Nature's GraspSlowignores tenacityFROMQ Bramble SmashE Sapling TossR Nature's GraspHover a crowd-control type to see which ability it comes from.
HIGHEST WIN-RATE BUILD
SKILL PRIORITY
Bramble Smash (Q)Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.Q→Twisted Advance (W)Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.W49.7% WR652 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Bramble Smash (Q)Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.QBramble Smash2
4
5
7
9
Twisted Advance (W)Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.WTwisted Advance1
8
10
12
13
Sapling Toss (E)Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.ESapling Toss3
14
15
17
18
Nature's Grasp (R)Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.RNature's Grasp6
11
16
Aftershock keystone
Resolve
Grasp of the Undying
Aftershock
Guardian
Demolish
Font of Life
Shield Bash
Conditioning
Second Wind
Bone Plating
Overgrowth
Revitalize
Unflinching
Inspiration
Glacial Augment
Unsealed Spellbook
First Strike
Hextech Flashtraption
Magical Footwear
Cash Back
Triple Tonic
Time Warp Tonic
Biscuit Delivery
Cosmic Insight
Approach Velocity
Jack Of All Trades
SUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
World AtlasCost: 400
Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Boots of Swiftness55 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.Cost: 1000 · 700 to buildMost common
CORE
Celestial Opposition200 Health
75% Base Health Regen
75% Base Mana Regen
9 Gold Per 10 Seconds
Blessing of the Mountain
Reduce incoming champion damage for 2 seconds after taking damage from a champion. When the effect ends, slow nearby enemies by 50% for 1.5 seconds.
Active (4 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision.Cost: 400→
Locket of the Iron Solari200 Health
30 Armor
30 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
Devotion
Grant nearby allies a 290 - 360 Shield that decays over 2.5 seconds.Cost: 2200 · 700 to buildBuild every game
2ND ITEM
Bandlepipes200 Health
15 Ability Haste
20 Armor
20 Magic Resist
Fanfare
Slowing or Immobilizing an enemy champion grants Fanfare for seconds. Fanfare grants you 20 Move Speed. While you have Fanfare, nearby allies, including yourself, gain Attack Speed.Cost: 2300 · 800 to build51.1% WR458 gamesWhat players go
3RD ITEM
Bandlepipes200 Health
15 Ability Haste
20 Armor
20 Magic Resist
Fanfare
Slowing or Immobilizing an enemy champion grants Fanfare for seconds. Fanfare grants you 20 Move Speed. While you have Fanfare, nearby allies, including yourself, gain Attack Speed.Cost: 2300 · 800 to build57.9% WR356 games
Thornmail150 Health
75 Armor
Thorns
When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.Cost: 2450 · 450 to build46% WR213 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Thornmail150 Health
75 Armor
Thorns
When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.Cost: 2450 · 450 to build63.2% WR144 gamesBandlepipes200 Health
15 Ability Haste
20 Armor
20 Magic Resist
Fanfare
Slowing or Immobilizing an enemy champion grants Fanfare for seconds. Fanfare grants you 20 Move Speed. While you have Fanfare, nearby allies, including yourself, gain Attack Speed.Cost: 2300 · 800 to build42% WR50 games
Knight's Vow200 Health
40 Armor
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Sacrifice
While near your Worthy ally, take 14% of the damage they receive and heal for 12% of the damage they deal to champions.Pledge (0s)
Designate an ally as Worthy.Cost: 2300 · 400 to build56.7% WR30 gamesWhat players go
Based on 2412 games · 49.7% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Bramble Smash (Q)Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.Q→Sapling Toss (E)Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.E51.1% WR148 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Bramble Smash (Q)Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.QBramble Smash1
3
4
5
7
9
Twisted Advance (W)Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.WTwisted Advance14
15
16
18
Sapling Toss (E)Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.ESapling Toss2
8
10
11
13
Nature's Grasp (R)Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.RNature's Grasp6
12
17
Aftershock keystone
ResolveGrasp of the UndyingAftershockGuardianDemolishFont of LifeShield BashConditioningSecond WindBone PlatingOvergrowthRevitalizeUnflinching
Precision
Press the Attack
Lethal Tempo
Fleet Footwork
Conqueror
Absorb Life
Triumph
Presence of Mind
Legend: Alacrity
Legend: Haste
Legend: Bloodline
Coup de Grace
Cut Down
Last StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Scorchclaw PupJungle Companions
Summon a Scorchclaw that assists you against monsters.
The companion grows as you hunt monsters, empowering your Smite. When fully grown, it completes your Jungle Quest and periodically imbues your next Attack or Ability to burn enemies and Slow them. Killing large monsters readies this immediately.Cost: 450Best opening
BOOTS
Mercury's Treads20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% TenacityCost: 1250 · 550 to buildMost common
CORE
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.Cost: 3000 · 800 to build→
Bloodletter's Curse65 Ability Power
400 Health
15 Ability Haste
Vile Decay
Dealing magic damage with abilities or passives to champions reduces their Magic Resist by 7.5% for 6 seconds. (Stacks 4 times).Cost: 2900 · 750 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Imperial Mandate60 Ability Power
15 Ability Haste
150% Base Mana Regen
Control
Gain 20 Ability Haste for your abilities with Immobilizing effects.
Command
On Immobilizing an enemy champion, mark them as 7% Vulnerable for 4 seconds.Cost: 2400 · 700 to build48% WR75 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Spirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.Cost: 2700 · 650 to build50.7% WR75 games
Unending Despair400 Health
50 Armor
15 Ability Haste
Anguish
Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.Cost: 2800 · 800 to build59.3% WR59 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Spirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.Cost: 2700 · 650 to build50% WR30 gamesUnending Despair400 Health
50 Armor
15 Ability Haste
Anguish
Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.Cost: 2800 · 800 to build80% WR20 gamesWhat players go
Based on 618 games · 51.1% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Bramble Smash (Q)Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.Q→Twisted Advance (W)Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.W47.2% WR322 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Bramble Smash (Q)Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.QBramble Smash1
4
5
7
9
Twisted Advance (W)Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.WTwisted Advance2
8
10
12
13
Sapling Toss (E)Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.ESapling Toss3
14
15
17
18
Nature's Grasp (R)Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.RNature's Grasp6
11
16
Grasp of the Undying keystone
ResolveGrasp of the UndyingAftershockGuardianDemolishFont of LifeShield BashConditioningSecond WindBone PlatingOvergrowthRevitalizeUnflinching
Sorcery
Summon Aery
Arcane Comet
Stormraider's Surge
Deathfire Touch
Axiom Arcanist
Manaflow Band
Nimbus Cloak
Transcendence
Celerity
Absolute Focus
Scorch
Waterwalking
Gathering StormSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Shield110 Health
Enduring Focus
Restore 4 Health every 5 seconds.
After taking damage from a champion, restore Health over 8 seconds.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 450Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Plated Steelcaps25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.Cost: 1200 · 600 to buildMost common
CORE
Sunfire Aegis350 Health
50 Armor
10 Ability Haste
Immolate
After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.Cost: 2800 · 700 to build→
Winter's Approach550 Health
500 Mana
15 Ability Haste
Awe
Gain Health.
Manaflow (8s, max 4 charges)
Landing Attacks and Abilities grant 3 max Mana (doubled vs. champions).
Transforms into Fimbulwinter at 360 max Mana.Cost: 2400 · 300 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Unending Despair400 Health
50 Armor
15 Ability Haste
Anguish
Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.Cost: 2800 · 800 to build44.2% WR86 gamesSpirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.Cost: 2700 · 650 to build36.7% WR60 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Spirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.Cost: 2700 · 650 to build61.2% WR98 gamesUnending Despair400 Health
50 Armor
15 Ability Haste
Anguish
Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.Cost: 2800 · 800 to build58.3% WR36 gamesThornmail150 Health
75 Armor
Thorns
When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.Cost: 2450 · 450 to build66.7% WR24 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Spirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.Cost: 2700 · 650 to build69% WR29 gamesWhat players go
Based on 570 games · 47.2% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
