Maokai is a powerful jungle champion who excels at ganking and team fighting. This comprehensive build guide will help you master his playstyle in the current meta.

Core Build (50.3% Win Rate)

• Summoner Spells: Flash, Smite
• Keystone: Phase Rush
• Core Runes: Nimbus Cloak, Transcendence, Waterwalking, Cosmic Insight, Magical Footwear
• Rune Shards: Ability Haste, Adaptive Force, Health Scaling
• Item Build Order:
  1. Liandry's Torment
  2. Ionian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Unending Despair
  4. Spirit Visage
  5. Thornmail
  6. Locket of the Iron Solari
• Skill Order: Q > W > E

Alternative Build (55.4% Win Rate)

• Same Summoner Spells and Runes
• Modified Item Build:
  1. Unending Despair
  2. Mercury's Treads
  3. Spirit Visage
  4. Thornmail
  5. Randuin's Omen
  6. Abyssal Mask

Best Matchups (Win Rate):

• Teemo (64.3%)
• Gragas (59.5%)
• Talon (55.9%)
• Nidalee (54.7%)
• Skarner (54.7%)

Counters to Avoid:

• Bel'Veth (31.8%)
• Taliyah (37.2%)
• Rek'Sai (38.5%)
• Shyvana (38.5%)
• Kindred (38.7%)

Pro Tips:

1. Place Saplings (E) in bushes before camps spawn for maximum efficiency
2. Use point-and-click W for guaranteed ganks
3. Position R strategically in teamfights, then fall back to protect carries
4. Prioritize ganking early to get allies ahead
5. Coordinate ultimates with team engages for maximum impact

Best Synergies:

• Zeri (59.7%)
• Draven (55.8%)
• Tristana (53.5%)
• Miss Fortune (53.4%)
• Sivir (53.0%)

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