Taric vs Maokai
Skill matchup
Build vs Maokai
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Taric: Tear of the Goddess, Locket of the Iron Solari, Fimbulwinter, Plated Steelcaps, Solstice Sleigh, Knight's Vow, Celestial Opposition, Frozen Heart.
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 Taric
Tips to maximize your impact
- Two autos after each spell
Weave in two autos after each spell: Bravado (passive) empowers them with bonus magic damage, and each one lowers your cooldowns.
- A second angle with your bound ally
Bind to an ally with Bastion (W): while they stay close, all your spells also cast from them, Dazzle (E) included, which gives you a second stun angle.
- Heal with all your charges
Cast Starlight's Touch (Q) when its charges are full: it consumes them all to heal nearby allies, for the same 60 mana cost.
- Cast your ult before the burst
Cast Cosmic Radiance (R) as soon as the teamfight is coming, not at the last moment: the invulnerability only kicks in after a delay, and only for nearby allies.
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 Taric matchups
Patch 16.21.1