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Support · SwiftplayMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Maokai vs Vex

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

MaokaiVSVex

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneSupport

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

SupportMaokai

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

Primary role
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

Swiftplay · 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
Swiftplay 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

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsMaokaiSupport

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

Swiftplay
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.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison

Respect the opponent's reliable threat

Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Keep Vex visible before committing. The second Bot-lane champion and nearby Jungler can change whether the same engage is safe.

Ability reminders

Maokai reminders

  • Saplings 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.

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.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Maokai

  1. P
    Sap Magic

    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.

  2. Q
    Bramble Smash

    Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.

    Cooldown (s) 7/6.5/6/5.5/5 · Cost 40 · Listed range (units) 600
  3. W
    Twisted Advance

    Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.

    Cooldown (s) 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost 60 · Listed range (units) 525
  4. E
    Sapling Toss

    Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.

    Cooldown (s) 18/17/16/15/14 · Cost 60/65/70/75/80 · Listed range (units) 1100
  5. R
    Nature's Grasp

    Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.

    Cooldown (s) 130/110/90 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 3000

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000

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.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

Open full buildCompare counter options