Matchup

Very tankyHeavy CCStrong engageHigh sustain

Build vs Maokai

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Nashor's Tooth
1DPS
Liandry's Torment
2Mage tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Statikk Shiv
5DPS

Summoner spells

41491%
4127%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Morellonomicon
6vs Heal

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Wit's End
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Bloodletter's Curse
vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank

DPS

Statikk Shiv
DPS
Malignance
Mage
Dusk and Dawn
Mage tank
Hextech Gunblade
Mage
Blade of The Ruined King
DPS
Blackfire Torch
Mage

Other options

Dark Seal
Guinsoo's Rageblade
100.0% WR2 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
TeemoTeemo
MaokaiMaokai
Careful
Careful
Aggressive

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 against Maokai

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Avoid bushes: his empowered saplings in bushes deal massive % max HP damage.

2

Maokai is a CC tank but deals little damage — ignore him in teamfights and focus the carries behind him.

3

His R is slow: sidestep laterally or Flash to avoid the root.

4

Grievous Wounds reduces his passive sustain which is his main lane survivability.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 8, 2026