Nautilus vs Maokai
Skill matchup
Build vs Maokai
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Nautilus: Locket of the Iron Solari, Knight's Vow, Bandlepipes, Plated Steelcaps, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh, Thornmail, Bramble Vest.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Maokai's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Maokai's basic attack also heals him and deals additional damage on a moderate cooldown. Each time Maokai casts a spell or is struck by an enemy's spell, this cooldown is reduced.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 14s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 14s | 18s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 5s | 13s | 18s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 18s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 16s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 14s | 1m30 |
Playing as Nautilus
Tips to maximize your impact
- Hook their carry
Aim Dredge Line (Q) at their carry: you and your target are pulled toward each other, and they're briefly stunned.
- Auto right after your Dredge Line
After Dredge Line (Q), land an auto right away: Staggering Blow (passive) roots the target after the stun, giving your ADC time to arrive.
- Switch targets to root
In teamfights, hit a new target whenever you can: your first auto on each target triggers Staggering Blow (passive) and briefly roots them.
- Depth Charge on their backline carry
Cast Depth Charge (R) on their backline carry: every enemy the shockwave crosses along the way also takes a knock-up and a stun.
Playing against Maokai
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Watch out for brush
Watch out for the brush near him: Sapling Toss (E) lasts longer there, explodes wider and slows more.
- No targeted spells during his dash
Don't cast targeted spells during Twisted Advance (W): he's untargetable during the dash, then roots you when he arrives.
- Don't waste time on him
In teamfights, go for his carries instead: each spell Maokai takes lowers the cooldown of Sap Magic (passive), which heals him on his next auto.
- Get out of his wall's path
Get out of the path of Nature's Grasp (R): the wall moves slowly, and the root lasts longer if it has traveled a long way.
Other Nautilus matchups
Patch 16.21.1