Janna vs Maokai

Janna
vs
44.5%

over 211 games

Maokai

Hard matchup

Heavy CCHeavy AP damageStrong engageVery tanky

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

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Moonstone Renewer
1
Redemption
2
Shurelya's Battlesong
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Dream Maker
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal84%
ExhaustFlash12%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dream Maker
Ardent Censer
Solstice Sleigh
Mikael's Blessing
Dark Seal
Dawncore
Mejai's Soulstealer
Celestial Opposition
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Staff of Flowing Water
Oblivion Orb
Echoes of Helia
Imperial Mandate
Locket of the Iron Solari
Diadem of Songs
Bandlepipes
44.4% WR9 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
CelerityCelerity
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
RevitalizeRevitalize
Font of LifeFont of Life
Adaptive ForceMove SpeedHealth Scaling

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 Janna

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  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.

Patch 16.21.1