Matchup
You are stronger early — look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Maokai
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
75%
12%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti AP
DPS
Other options
Resolve
Grasp of the Undying
Demolish
Bone Plating
Overgrowth
Precision
Presence of Mind
Last Stand
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Illaoi
MaokaiMaokai'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 against Maokai
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Avoid bushes: his empowered saplings in bushes deal massive % max HP damage.
Maokai is a CC tank but deals little damage — ignore him in teamfights and focus the carries behind him.
His R is slow: sidestep laterally or Flash to avoid the root.
Grievous Wounds reduces his passive sustain which is his main lane survivability.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 8, 2026