Maokai vs Zac
Build vs Zac
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, Bramble Vest, Celestial Opposition, Spirit Visage.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Zac's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Each time Zac hits an enemy with an ability, he sheds a chunk of himself that can be reabsorbed to restore Health. Upon taking fatal damage, Zac splits into 4 bloblets that attempt to recombine. If any bloblets remain, he will revive with an amount of Health depending on the Health of the surviving bloblets. Each bloblet has a percentage of Zac's maximum Health, Armor and Magic Resistance. This ability has a 5 minute cooldown.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 5s | 21s | – |
| 6 | 11s | 5s | 21s | 2m |
| 9 | 8s | 5s | 21s | 2m |
| 11 | 8s | 5s | 21s | 1m45 |
| 16 | 8s | 5s | 15s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 8s | 5s | 9s | 1m30 |
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 Zac
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Step on his Goo
Walk over the chunks of Goo he sheds: you destroy them, and Cell Division (passive) can't heal him with them anymore.
- Spread out after his Stretching Strikes
If Stretching Strikes (Q) grabs you, spread out from your allies and minions: his next auto on one of them flings you into each other.
- Interrupt his Slingshot
If you have a stun, a silence, a root or a knock-up, use it while he charges Elastic Slingshot (E): his charge is interrupted before the jump.
- Kill all his bloblets
When he dies, kill his bloblets: Cell Division (passive) splits him into 4, and if any remain, he comes back to life. This passive has a 5-minute cooldown.
Other Maokai matchups
Patch 16.21.1