Maokai vs Sona
Skill matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Sona's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 10s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 2m |
| 16 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 1m40 |
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 Sona
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Target her first
If you can engage, target Sona first: she has no dash, and without her, her team loses its heals and shields.
Other Maokai matchups
Patch 16.21.1