Sona vs Maokai

Sona
vs
Not enough games
Maokai
Heavy CCHeavy AP damageStrong engageVery tanky

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

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Tear of the Goddess
1
Echoes of Helia
2
Diadem of Songs
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Bloodsong
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal81%
ExhaustFlash19%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Bloodsong
Dream Maker
Moonstone Renewer
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Seraph's Embrace
Staff of Flowing Water
Dawncore
Ardent Censer
Shurelya's Battlesong
Redemption
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
RevitalizeRevitalize
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Maokai's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Sap Magic (P)

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

LevelQWER
37s14s18s–
66s14s18s2m10
95s13s18s2m10
115s12s18s1m50
165s10s16s1m30
185s10s14s1m30

Playing as Sona

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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).

  4. 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

  1. Watch out for brush

    Watch out for the brush near him: Sapling Toss (E) lasts longer there, explodes wider and slows more.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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