Janna vs Maokai
Hard matchup
Build vs Maokai
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Janna: Moonstone Renewer, Redemption, Shurelya's Battlesong, Boots of Swiftness, Dream Maker, Ardent Censer, Solstice Sleigh, Mikael's Blessing.
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 Janna
Tips to maximize your impact
- Release your tornado early to peel
To peel, send Howling Gale (Q) right away by recasting it: charged, it travels farther and its knock-up lasts longer, but enemies have time to dodge it.
- Shield your carry before trades
Cast Eye Of The Storm (E) on your carry right before they trade: while the shield holds, they gain AD.
- Poke with Zephyr
Poke with Zephyr (W) in lane: it slows and damages its target, and Tailwind (passive) adds damage based on your bonus move speed.
- Knock back, then stand still
Cast Monsoon (R) to push away whoever dives your carry, then stand still: moving or casting a spell cancels the heal.
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 Janna matchups
Patch 16.21.1