Elise vs Maokai
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Maokai
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Elise: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Stormsurge, Rabadon's Deathcap, Dark Seal, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Maokai's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 14s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 14s | 18s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 5s | 13s | 18s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 18s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 16s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 14s | 1m30 |
Playing as Elise
Tips to maximize your impact
- Start human, finish spider
Start in human form with Cocoon (E) then Neurotoxin (Q), strong on a high-health target. Finish in spider form with Venomous Bite (Q), strong on a low-health target.
- Drop on your target to finish
In spider form, save Rappel (E) to finish or to escape: landing on your target empowers Spider Queen (passive), and Rappel's long cooldown leaves you vulnerable afterward.
- Speed up your spiders
In spider form, cast Skittering Frenzy (W) once you're on your target: you and your spiderlings gain attack speed, and they attack the target you bite.
- Gank early and often
Gank early and often: Cocoon (E) stuns the first enemy hit from range, and Elise is strongest before everyone has their items.
Playing against Maokai
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Watch out for brush
Watch out for the brush near him: Sapling Toss (E) lasts longer there, explodes wider and slows more.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Elise matchups
Patch 16.21.1