Good patterns
- Creates space through durability, control or a reliable front-line threat.
- Can create value through control, protection, setup or pressure that does not depend only on personal gold.
Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1
Reference patch 16.20.1
Maokai
the Twisted Treant
Maokai is a durable champion who creates space through control, protection or a committed front line. This overview keeps the explanation practical and leaves patch-sensitive numbers to Riot's structured data and the current in-game tooltip.
Usual roleSupport◆ClassTank · Support
3DifficultyLow · 3/10
◎Basic attacksMeleeMelee basic attacks · 125 range.
◈Damage profileMostly magic damageMost normal kit pressure is magic. Magic resistance may help, but control, penetration and true damage still matter.
#Reference patch16.20.1
Strengths and limits
What Maokai does well, and what can go wrong
These are kit-level patterns, not a promise that every lane or matchup plays the same way.
Limits to respect
- Durability does not make an unsupported engage safe or guarantee enough damage to finish a target.
- Reduced income makes item timing and safe cooperation more important than on a solo-lane carry.
- Basic attacks require close access, so enemy range, slows and displacement can deny a clean trade.
Riot ally tips
Use these while learning the championSaplings can be tossed into brush for empowered effect - but don't stack well.
Try looking for flanks or other situations where Nature's Grasp is unavoidable or takes enemies by surprise.
Maokai's passive makes him extremely durable against focus fire from spells - so long as he can still basic attack something.
Riot opponent tips
What an opponent is told to watch forSaplings will chase the first enemy that gets too close, but detonate after a few seconds or if they collide with other enemies. Be especially careful around brush sapling, as they are much more dangerous.
The cooldown on Maokai's self healing is heavily gated on how many time you hit him with spells. Careful about wasting abilities on him.
Maokai will avoid taking damage while he's using Twisted Advance, so don't waste your spells.
Practical champion reading
How to read Maokai in a real fight
Use these patterns to ask better questions before choosing an item, target or commitment. They describe the kit, not a guaranteed result.
Primarily magic pressure
Magic resistance can reduce the broad spell profile, but positioning and cooldown tracking still decide whether the important abilities connect.
Track the complete ability cycle
Do not judge the champion from one button. Watch which setup, payoff and escape tools are available before choosing a trade or commitment.
Needs close access for basic attacks
Range, slows, displacement and terrain can deny the clean contact this champion wants. Plan the route in as carefully as the damage after arrival.
Create space and absorb attention
The kit is usually most valuable when it controls an entrance, protects a carry or begins a fight allies can actually reach. Durability does not make an isolated engage safe.
Identify the exact movement restriction
Tenacity can shorten only eligible control. Displacements, airborne effects and repeated slows need their own positioning, blocking or movement answer.
Check whether recovery changes the fight
Anti-heal or anti-shielding is situational. Buy it only when the effect is materially protecting targets and your champion can apply the answer reliably.
Mana and cooldowns both matter
A spell being available does not mean the complete sequence is sustainable. Watch the resource bar as well as the setup and escape cooldowns.
Defensive item reference
What can help against Maokai?
Start with the threat that is actually affecting the match. These are conditional comparisons, not an automatic counter build.
DEFENSIVE BOOTS
Mercury's Treads usually fit better
Magic resistance addresses the broad damage profile, while Tenacity can shorten reducible control.
Choose Plated Steelcaps instead only when physical basic attacks from this champion or the rest of the team are the larger repeated threat.Normal Draft and Ranked role map
Where Maokai fits on Summoner's Rift
Each lane is assessed separately. Open a role to reach its queue-specific build and matchup preparation.
TopSecondary
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Maokai has a secondary role listed in this historical reference. It is less common than the primary roles, but it has a recognisable role-specific plan.
JungleUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Maokai is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Jungle route. Jungle usually needs repeatable monster clear, safe pathing and objective control without lane income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
MidUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Maokai is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Mid route. Mid usually needs solo-lane safety plus wave control, roaming or reliable burst pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
BotUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Maokai is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Bot route. Bot usually needs dependable duo-lane scaling and sustained damage with shared early pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
SupportPrimary role
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Maokai has an established low-income Support plan with useful lane pressure, protection, engage or team utility.
Situational AP purchase
When should you buy anti-heal?
Buy healing reduction when enemy healing or regeneration is deciding fights and you can keep damaging the relevant target. Grievous Wounds reduces healing; it does not reduce shields, magic damage or crowd control.
Start with the component
Oblivion Orb can provide healing reduction without immediately paying for a completed Morellonomicon. Fit the component around your core damage, mana and survival needs; check the current queue's item tooltip.
Finish when it fits the fight
Complete Morellonomicon when its stats and slot efficiency suit your build. Do not treat it as a mandatory first item just because your champion deals magic damage.
Coordinate coverage
Multiple Grievous Wounds sources do not add their percentages together. Another reliable applier may cover the same target, but you may still need your own source for a separate fight or target.
Repeated spell damage and damage over time can maintain coverage more reliably than a single hit. Match the purchase to your actual spell access, enemy sustain and the teammates who can apply the debuff.
Will the fight last long enough?
If you die before dealing damage, you apply no healing reduction. If your target dies before healing, there is little healing to prevent. The debuff applies on qualifying damage immediately; it does not need to build up. It remains briefly after your last hit, so teammates can benefit even after you disengage.
Only healing during the active debuff counts. For example, 40% reduction prevents 80 of a 200-point heal, or 400 of a 1,000-point heal, before other modifiers. Compare that with the damage, penetration or survival you delayed; neither example guarantees a kill. Healing after the debuff expires is unaffected.
See the Oblivion Orb and Morellonomicon references for current effects and queue availability. These are situational decisions, not a measured best-build claim.
Kit reference
Maokai abilities
Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.
Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive
Sap Magic
What it doesMaokai'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.
Practical readSap Magic is an automatic part of the kit involving basic-attack interaction and damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.
Protection
The protection or sustain is part of the cast's value. Compare its timing with incoming damage rather than reading only the offensive effect.
Q
Q ability
Bramble Smash
What it doesMaokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.
Practical readBramble Smash contributes a slowing effect and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown7/6.5/6/5.5/5 secCost40Listed range600 units
W
W ability
Twisted Advance
What it doesMaokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.
Practical readTwisted Advance is part of Maokai's W pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.
Cooldown14/13/12/11/10 secCost60Listed range525 units
Movement
The cast changes position or access. Account for where the champion finishes, not only where the ability begins.
E
E ability
Sapling Toss
What it doesMaokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.
Practical readSapling Toss is part of Maokai's E pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.
Cooldown18/17/16/15/14 secCost60/65/70/75/80Listed range1100 units
R
Ultimate
Nature's Grasp
What it doesMaokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.
Practical readNature's Grasp contributes a slowing effect. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown130/110/90 secCost100Listed range3000 units
Levels 1–18
Maokai · Health / Mana · Abilities
Base values exclude items, runes, temporary buffs and mode-specific modifiers. Cooldowns are the listed base cooldown before ability haste.
Cooldown Data Dragon 16.20.1
Basic abilityBramble Smash
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 17 secRank 26.5 secRank 36 secRank 45.5 secRank 55 sec
Basic abilityTwisted Advance
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 114 secRank 213 secRank 312 secRank 411 secRank 510 sec
Basic abilitySapling Toss
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 118 secRank 217 secRank 316 secRank 415 secRank 514 sec
UltimateNature's Grasp
First rank becomes available at level 6; later ranks normally become available at levels 11 and 16.
Rank 1130 secRank 2110 secRank 390 sec
Open every levelHealth and mana from level 1 to 18
| Level | Health | Mana | Ability milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 665 | 375 Mana | Choose the first basic ability |
| 2 | 743 | 406 Mana | Add another basic ability or rank |
| 3 | 826 | 438 Mana | Add another basic ability or rank |
| 4 | 912 | 472 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 5 | 1,002 | 508 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 6 | 1,096 | 545 Mana | First ultimate rank normally available |
| 7 | 1,193 | 583 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 8 | 1,294 | 623 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 9 | 1,400 | 665 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 10 | 1,509 | 708 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 11 | 1,621 | 752 Mana | Second ultimate rank normally available |
| 12 | 1,738 | 798 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 13 | 1,859 | 846 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 14 | 1,983 | 895 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 15 | 2,111 | 945 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 16 | 2,243 | 997 Mana | Final ultimate rank normally available |
| 17 | 2,378 | 1,051 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 18 | 2,518 | 1,106 Mana | Spend one ability point |
Choose the next question
Turn the profile into a pre-game plan
Choose a queue-aware build, compare a lane opponent, or return to the full champion library.