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Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1

Reference patch 16.20.1

Maokai Support · Normal Draft

Maokai has an established low-income Support plan with useful lane pressure, protection, engage or team utility.

Primary roleStandard Summoner's Rift preparation
Champion overview
Review patch unknownRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
— Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Support

Reviewed Maokai engage Support

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

World Atlas

400 gold

Starts Support income and progresses into wards.

1
Free quest choice

Solstice Sleigh

400 gold

Adds a reviewed part of this champion and role core.

2
First item

Locket of the Iron Solari

2,200 gold

Adds an immediate shield for nearby allies after a team commit.

3
Boots

Boots of Swiftness

1,000 gold

Adds movement speed and stronger resistance to slows.

4
Core utility

Bandlepipes

2,300 gold

Builds health and a moving team aura after the first affordable Support item.

5
Team utility

Thornmail

2,450 gold

Adds armour and anti-heal when attack-heavy enemies must hit you.

6
Flexible

Knight's Vow

2,300 gold

Redirects protection toward one priority ally.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingApply anti-heal only when repeated healing is materially changing fights.View full route

Best when: Apply anti-heal only when repeated healing is materially changing fights.

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Morellonomicon
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow
AlternativeCrowd controlMikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.View full route

Best when: Mikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Mikael's Blessing
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow
AlternativeCannot start fightsShurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.View full route

Best when: Shurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Shurelya's Battlesong
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededReviewed Maokai engage SupportRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Core utilityBandlepipes
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow
AlternativeToo much healingApply anti-heal only when repeated healing is materially changing fights.View full route

Best when: Apply anti-heal only when repeated healing is materially changing fights.

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Morellonomicon
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow
AlternativeCrowd controlMikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.View full route

Best when: Mikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Mikael's Blessing
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow
AlternativeCannot start fightsShurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.View full route

Best when: Shurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.

  1. Free quest choiceSolstice Sleigh
  2. First itemLocket of the Iron Solari
  3. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  4. Shurelya's Battlesong
  5. Team utilityThornmail
  6. FlexibleKnight's Vow

Recommendation review pending

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsMaokaiSupport

Use controlled poke and preserve the cooldown that makes the next catch safe.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Sorcery

Arcane CometManaflow BandTranscendenceScorch
Secondary tree

Inspiration

Biscuit DeliveryCosmic Insight
Summoner spells
FlashIgnite
Coordinate the Bot pair

Check which defensive spell the Bot partner selected before duplicating Heal, Barrier or Exhaust.

Match the lane threat

Exhaust answers a committed damage dealer; Ignite adds pressure and anti-heal; Heal protects both nearby partners.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
Crowd control

Mikael's Blessing

Mikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.

Cannot start fights

Shurelya's Battlesong

Shurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.

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

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Balance lane pressure with protection for the carry

1
Lane

Hold the ability that makes opponents respect your lane and trade when both Bot-lane partners are ready.

2
Map play

Recall and move on safe wave timings; an unsupported roam can cost the carry an entire wave or a dive.

3
Fights

Control one approach and keep enough protection for the enemy's most likely engage.

Pings, movement and objectives

Maokai Support map plan

Turn information into a shared decision. Move with an ally and preserve the tool that makes the next fight safe.

Ahead

Make the lead open the map

Ping
Use On My Way before changing angle, then Assist Me on Dragon after Bot is safe to move. Use Danger if the carry starts following through an unsafe route.
Map movement
Roam after a pushed wave, shared recall or when the carry can collect safely. Deep wards still require the Jungler or another nearby ally.
Objective
Arrive early, clear the enemy entrance and hold the key engage or peel spell. Do not chase away from Dragon and hand the opponent a free route back in.
Even

Create one clear numbers advantage

Ping
Use On My Way before an engage or roam, Enemy Missing as soon as a lane opponent disappears, and Danger when your carry cannot follow.
Map movement
Leave only on a safe wave or recall timing. If the carry would lose a full wave or face a dive, stay Bot and communicate that you are not moving.
Objective
Help Bot finish the wave, then enter river with the Jungler. Set vision before starting and avoid turning an even objective into an unseen gamble.
Behind

Stop the next loss before seeking a play

Ping
Use Retreat or Danger before an ally enters darkness, Enemy Missing immediately, and Assist Me when you need company to restore defensive vision.
Map movement
Do not abandon a crashing wave or vulnerable carry. Move after the wave is stable and use the nearest safe ward line rather than forcing deep vision.
Objective
If your team cannot enter river safely, ping Retreat and trade for farm, vision or another map resource. Contest only after creating a safe route together.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Before the move

    Around a minute before Dragon, ping the plan, spend gold if needed and make sure Bot and Mid know whether they can move.

  2. 2
    Enter together

    Walk with the Jungler or another ally. Sweep one route, place useful entrance vision and never face-check alone.

  3. 3
    Before starting

    Check nearby waves and enemy positions. Hold the spell that either starts a reachable fight or protects your main damage dealer.

  4. 4
    During the contest

    Keep enemies away from the safe entrance, mark the reachable threat and avoid chasing so far that Dragon is left unprotected.

Later objectives: Use the same pattern for Rift Herald or Baron: communicate first, move through controlled vision with an ally, then choose engage or peel before the fight begins.

Use the guide

Put Maokai into a real matchup

Compare a specific opponent, return to the champion overview, or choose another champion without losing the queue distinction.

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