01 / Maokai
At a glance
Learn Maokai abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.
02
Strengths & weaknesses
Tools to play around
- Bramble SmashCreates a control window for a follow-up.
- Sapling TossAdds a utility effect to the champion’s kit.
What can go wrong
- Bramble SmashUse this control to create a follow-up window. Check the target’s defensive spells and your teammates’ range before committing.
- Sapling TossRead the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
- A completed combo is only useful when your position, resources and follow-up are safe.
03
Abilities & tips
Open an ability to read its effect and a practical use tip.
PSap 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.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
QBramble Smash
Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.
Use this control to create a follow-up window. Check the target’s defensive spells and your teammates’ range before committing.
WTwisted Advance
Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.
Use this control to create a follow-up window. Check the target’s defensive spells and your teammates’ range before committing.
ESapling Toss
Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
RNature's Grasp
Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.
Use this control to create a follow-up window. Check the target’s defensive spells and your teammates’ range before committing.
Maokai combos: execution and timing
AA = basic attack · EAA = empowered attack · 1/2/3 = cast stage. Follow the order, not instant key presses.
Follow up with Twisted Advance
- W
- Q
- AA
With Maokai, start with Twisted Advance, then continue through Bramble Smash → Basic attack. Watch Twisted Advance connect before committing the remaining spells. Practise the follow-up against a moving target, not only a stationary dummy.
Follow up with Sapling Toss
- E
- W
- AA
- Q
- AA
With Maokai, start with Sapling Toss, then continue through Twisted Advance → Basic attack → Bramble Smash → Basic attack. Watch Twisted Advance connect before committing the remaining spells. Practise the follow-up against a moving target, not only a stationary dummy.
05
Game plan by role
Maokai · Support
Stand where you can help your lane partner without exposing both of you. Coordinate the opening before spending your main control or protection.
Set up vision with nearby allies rather than walking into unlit areas alone. Roam when your lane partner can safely handle the next wave.
Choose between creating an opening and protecting the teammate who can carry the fight. Do not spend every defensive spell on the first visible enemy.
Before your next fight, check: Bramble Smash · Nature's Grasp · Combos
Maokai · Jungle
Practise a repeatable clear before adding risky invades. Check nearby lane positions before entering the river or committing to a gank.
Prepare objectives by resetting, checking vision and moving with nearby allies. Avoid starting an objective solely because it has spawned.
Keep Smite and your escape plan in mind around contested objectives. Choose between engaging, covering a carry and keeping access to the objective.
Before your next fight, check: Bramble Smash · Nature's Grasp · Combos
06
Matchup preparation
Compare opponents in the build for the role you are actually playing. Then check their key control, escape and defensive spells before choosing your trade.
07
Practice checklist
- Cast each ability alone and identify its range, target conditions and stopping point.
- Practise the first sequence slowly. Repeat it while moving, without skipping the conditions shown on its card.
- After each attempt, identify the spell you would still have available to defend or retreat.
08
Maokai · Builds & runes
Choose a role, then select your rank on the build page for runes, items, skill order and matchup statistics.