Matchup
You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Maokai
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
100%Anti AD
Anti CC
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Inspiration
First Strike
Cash Back
Triple Tonic
Cosmic Insight
Domination
Ultimate Hunter
Sudden Impact
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kassadin
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 9, 2026