Maokai is a powerful tank champion who excels at crowd control and teamfight engage/disengage. His natural sustain and multiple CC abilities make him an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Core Abilities Overview

Passive - Sap Magic

• Empowers next auto attack after ability use
• Heals Maokai based on max health
• Cooldown reduces when hit by spells

Q - Bramble Smash

• Knocks back and slows enemies
• Main waveclear ability
• Can be combined with Flash for surprise engages

W - Twisted Advance

• Root that follows target even through Flash
• Makes Maokai untargetable during dash
• Primary engage tool

E - Sapling Toss

• Throws a sapling that seeks nearby enemies
• Deals increased damage from brush
• Provides vision control

R - Nature's Grasp

• Sends wave of roots forward
• Roots enemies hit, duration increases with distance
• Grants movement speed when hitting champions

Standard Ability Combo E -> W -> AA -> Q -> AA

Strengths

• Multiple forms of CC
• Strong teamfight presence
• Excellent sustain
• Easy to learn mechanics

Weaknesses

• Needs items to become tanky
• Vulnerable to early lane bullies
• Can struggle against tank-shredders

Strong Against

• Sion
• Tahm Kench
• Cho'Gath
• Extended fight champions

Weak Against

• Quinn
• Gwen
• Olaf
• Early game bullies

Skill Order

1. Q - Bramble Smash
2. W - Twisted Advance
3. E - Sapling Toss R whenever available (6/11/16)

Build path focuses on tank items that enhance healing and provide waveclear ability, with specific itemization depending on enemy team composition and game state.

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