Karma vs Maokai

Karma
vs
45.5%

over 1111 games

Maokai

Skill matchup

Heavy CCHeavy AP damageStrong engageVery tanky

Build vs Maokai

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Karma: Echoes of Helia, Moonstone Renewer, Redemption, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Dream Maker, Mikael's Blessing, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Malignance.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Echoes of Helia
1
Moonstone Renewer
2
Redemption
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Dream Maker
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal75%
ExhaustFlash17%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dream Maker
Mikael's Blessing
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Malignance
Shurelya's Battlesong
Ardent Censer
Oblivion Orb
Celestial Opposition
Dawncore
Solstice Sleigh
Staff of Flowing Water
Locket of the Iron Solari
Dark Seal
Imperial Mandate
Morellonomicon
Luden's Echo
Knight's Vow
Zhonya's Hourglass
Diadem of Songs
Stormsurge
Shadowflame
Mejai's Soulstealer
Horizon Focus
Rabadon's Deathcap
Abyssal Mask
Frozen Heart
Tear of the Goddess
49.2% WR61 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
RevitalizeRevitalize
Font of LifeFont of Life
Ability HasteAdaptive 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 Karma

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Deal damage to refresh Mantra

    Hit the enemy with your spells: Gathering Fire (passive) lowers the cooldown of Mantra (R) with each damaging ability.

  2. Mantra then Q to poke

    To poke, cast Mantra (R) then Inner Flame (Q) at a group: the explosion leaves a ring of fire that slows and deals more damage.

  3. Mantra then W at low health

    At low health, cast Mantra (R) then Focused Resolve (W): you restore part of your missing health at the start and end of the tether, and the root lasts longer.

  4. Mantra then E for the whole team

    In teamfights, cast Mantra (R) then Inspire (E) on an ally surrounded by the others: everyone gets a shield and move speed, to engage or to escape.

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