Maokai vs Sona

Maokai
vs
51.6%

over 62 games

Sona

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHeavy CCHigh sustain

Build vs Sona

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, Celestial Opposition, Bramble Vest, Knight's Vow.

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

FlashDot72%
FlashHeal15%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Solstice Sleigh
Celestial Opposition
Bramble Vest
Knight's Vow
Dead Man's Plate
Protoplasm Harness
Spirit Visage
Unending Despair
Kaenic Rookern
Oblivion Orb
Imperial Mandate
Bloodsong
Abyssal Mask
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

Sona's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Power Chord (P)

Accelerando: Sona gains non-Ultimate ability haste permanently for her basic abilities as she uses her abilities well, up to a cap. Beyond that cap, further successful uses reduce her ultimate's remaining cooldown instead.Power Chord: Every few spell casts, Sona's next attack will deal bonus magic damage in addition to an additional effect based on what basic Ability Sona last activated.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
38s10s14s–
68s10s14s2m20
98s10s14s2m20
118s10s14s2m
168s10s14s1m40
188s10s14s1m40

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 Sona

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Don't count on your minions

    Don't count on your minions against Hymn of Valor (Q): it hits the two nearest enemies, champions first.

  2. Back off after her spells

    Back off when she has cast several spells: Power Chord (passive) empowers her next auto, which damages, weakens or slows you.

  3. Spread out from your allies

    Spread out from your allies against her: Crescendo (R) stuns every enemy it hits, and it's her only stun.

  4. Target her first

    If you can engage, target Sona first: she has no dash, and without her, her team loses its heals and shields.

Patch 16.21.1