Sona vs Maokai
Build vs Maokai
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Sona: Tear of the Goddess, Echoes of Helia, Diadem of Songs, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Dream Maker, Moonstone Renewer, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike.
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 Sona
Tips to maximize your impact
- Choose your last spell
Choose the spell you cast before Power Chord (passive): after Hymn of Valor (Q), the auto deals more damage, and after Aria of Perseverance (W), it weakens the target.
- Tag your allies with your aura
After each spell, move close to your allies: your aura gives them a damage, shield or speed bonus depending on the spell.
- Build up Accelerando
Hit champions with Hymn of Valor (Q) and shield allies with Aria of Perseverance (W): Power Chord (passive) gives you ability haste, then reduces the cooldown of Crescendo (R).
- Crescendo on several enemies
Save Crescendo (R) for when several enemies are in front of you: it stuns them all and deals damage to them.
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.
Patch 16.21.1