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Bard vs Maokai

Bard
vs
49.3%

over 298 games

Maokai
Analyze a draft with Bard

Skill matchup

Heavy CCHeavy AP damageStrong engageVery tanky

Build vs Maokai

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Bard: Dead Man's Plate, Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Mikael's Blessing, Solstice Sleigh, Celestial Opposition.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Dead Man's Plate
1
Locket of the Iron Solari
2
Bandlepipes
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Bloodsong
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot57%
FlashHeal35%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Bloodsong
Mikael's Blessing
Solstice Sleigh
Celestial Opposition
Liandry's Torment
Oblivion Orb
Knight's Vow
Dark Seal
Shurelya's Battlesong
Redemption
Imperial Mandate
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Kaenic Rookern
Zeke's Convergence
Force of Nature
Hextech Rocketbelt
Abyssal Mask
Thornmail
Frozen Heart
Morellonomicon
Randuin's Omen
50.0% WR8 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Deep WardDeep Ward
Relentless HunterRelentless Hunter
SorcerySorcery
CelerityCelerity
ScorchScorch
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Maokai's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Sap Magic (P)

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.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s14s18s–
66s14s18s2m10
95s13s18s2m10
115s12s18s1m50
165s10s16s1m30
185s10s14s1m30

Playing as Bard

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Aim for a wall behind your target

    Line up Cosmic Binding (Q) with a wall or a second enemy behind your target: the missile then stuns every enemy hit.

  2. Freeze the fight with your R

    Cast Tempered Fate (R) to freeze a teamfight, or a tower during a dive: everything hit, allies included, goes into stasis.

  3. Roam through your portals

    Open Magical Journey (E) to roam or to get your team out: the portal crosses nearby terrain, but enemies can use it too.

  4. Collect your Chimes

    Collect the Traveler's Call (passive) Chimes whenever your lane allows: they give XP and mana, and enough Chimes add area damage and a slow to your Meeps.

Playing against Maokai

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Watch out for brush

    Watch out for the brush near him: Sapling Toss (E) lasts longer there, explodes wider and slows more.

  2. No targeted spells during his dash

    Don't cast targeted spells during Twisted Advance (W): he's untargetable during the dash, then roots you when he arrives.

  3. Don't waste time on him

    In teamfights, go for his carries instead: each spell Maokai takes lowers the cooldown of Sap Magic (passive), which heals him on his next auto.

  4. Get out of his wall's path

    Get out of the path of Nature's Grasp (R): the wall moves slowly, and the root lasts longer if it has traveled a long way.

Other Bard matchups

Patch 16.21.1