Maokai vs Aatrox

Maokai
vs
Not enough games
Aatrox
Heavy AD damageHigh sustainSplit pushSustained DPS

Build vs Aatrox

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Maokai: Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Thornmail, Plated Steelcaps, Solstice Sleigh, Spirit Visage, Knight's Vow, Unending Despair.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Locket of the Iron Solari
1
Bandlepipes
2
Thornmail
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Solstice Sleigh
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Solstice Sleigh
Spirit Visage
Knight's Vow
Unending Despair
Jak'Sho, The Protean
ResolveResolve
AftershockAftershock
Font of LifeFont of Life
Bone PlatingBone Plating
UnflinchingUnflinching
InspirationInspiration
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Aatrox's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Deathbringer Stance (P)

Periodically, Aatrox's next basic attack deals bonus magic damage and heals him, based on the target's max health.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s18s9s–
610s18s9s2m
96s16.5s9s2m
116s15s9s1m40
166s12s7s1m20
186s12s5s1m20

Playing as Maokai

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Cast spells to recharge Sap Magic

    In lane, use your spells: each spell you cast or get hit by lowers the cooldown of Sap Magic (passive), and your next auto heals you.

  2. Saplings in the brush

    Throw Sapling Toss (E) into brush: there, the sapling lasts longer, explodes wider and slows more.

  3. Dive in with Twisted Advance

    Dash to your target with Twisted Advance (W): you're untargetable during the dash, and they're rooted when you arrive.

  4. Cast your wall from long range

    Cast Nature's Grasp (R) from far away to engage or block a path: the wall moves slowly, and the root lasts longer after a long run.

Playing against Aatrox

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Avoid the edge of his blade

    Stick to him or step out of range when he casts The Darkin Blade (Q): only the edge, at the end of each swing, knocks you into the air and deals full damage.

  2. Get out of his chains fast

    Leave the Infernal Chains (W) zone before it closes, with a dash if you have one: otherwise you get pulled back to the impact point and take the damage again.

  3. Trade after his blade

    Take a trade right after the three swings of The Darkin Blade (Q): it's his only knock-up, with a 14 to 6 second cooldown depending on rank.

  4. Short trades

    Take short trades: Umbral Dash (E) heals him for part of all the damage he deals to champions, so a long trade favors him.

  5. Respect his level 6

    Once he hits level 6, back off when he casts World Ender (R): he gains AD and increased healing, and every takedown extends its duration.

Patch 16.21.1