Maokai vs Shyvana
Build vs Shyvana
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Maokai: Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Thornmail, Boots of Swiftness, Solstice Sleigh, Spirit Visage, Knight's Vow, Unending Despair.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Shyvana's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Takedowns on enemy champions, large minions, and large monsters grant Shyvana Scalemail stacks, improving her defenses.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 13s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 13s | 12s | 0s |
| 9 | 6s | 12.25s | 12s | 0s |
| 11 | 6s | 11.5s | 12s | 0s |
| 16 | 6s | 10s | 10s | 0s |
| 18 | 6s | 10s | 8s | 0s |
Playing as Maokai
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- Saplings in the brush
Throw Sapling Toss (E) into brush: there, the sapling lasts longer, explodes wider and slows more.
- 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.
- 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 Shyvana
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade when her Fury is low
Take a trade when her Dragon Fury is low: she needs it to transform with Dragon's Descent (R), and her dragon form ends when the bar is empty.
- Leave her trail of fire
Get out of the Molten Burst (E) trail when she's in dragon form: the fireball leaves fire there that burns every second.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies when she's in dragon form: her spells hit several enemies, and Dragon's Descent (R) makes those she flies over flee.
- Don't give her the large monsters
Contest large monsters: Scalemail (passive) gives her resistances with each takedown on a large monster, large minion or champion.
Other Maokai matchups
Patch 16.21.1