Maokai vs Teemo
Build vs Teemo
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, Knight's Vow, Spirit Visage.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Teemo's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
If Teemo stands still and takes no actions for a short duration, he becomes Invisible indefinitely. If he's in brush, Teemo can enter and maintain his Invisibility while moving. After leaving Invisibility, Teemo gains the Element of Surprise, increasing his Attack Speed for a few seconds.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 14s | 0s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 9 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 11 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 16 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
| 18 | 7s | 14s | 0s | 0.25s |
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 Teemo
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Only close in for a real trade
Only get close to him to start a real trade: each Teemo auto poisons you with Toxic Shot (E), and the poison keeps ticking while you back off.
- Trade after his dart
If you rely on autos, start your trade right after Blinding Dart (Q): he has nothing left to blind you with during its 7-second cooldown.
- Reveal his mushrooms
Before a dragon or Baron, move in with an Oracle Lens or a Control Ward: they reveal the Noxious Trap (R) mushrooms, which otherwise stay stealthed for minutes.
- Call your jungler when he steps up
Ask for a gank when he steps up in your lane: Teemo has no dash, and only the Move Quick (W) sprint helps him escape.
Other Maokai matchups
Patch 16.21.1