Maokai is a powerful tank champion who excels at crowd control and team fight initiation. His kit combines sustain, CC, and zone control, making him an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

Passive - Sap Magic

• Empowers next auto attack with bonus damage and healing
• Cooldown reduces by 4 seconds when using or receiving abilities
• Monster attacks/abilities reduce cooldown by 1.5 seconds

Core Abilities:

Q - Bramble Smash

• Knockback ability with magic damage and slow
• Main damage source and wave clear tool
• Can be Flash-buffered for surprise engages

W - Twisted Advance

• Root ability that makes Maokai untargetable
• Follows target even through Flash/dash
• Can be combined with Flash for guaranteed engage

E - Sapling Toss

• Throws a sapling that guards area for 30 seconds
• Detonates on contact, dealing AoE damage and slowing
• Enhanced effects when placed in brush
• Provides vision control

R - Nature's Grasp

• Summons moving wall of roots
• Root duration increases with travel distance
• Grants movement speed when hitting champions
• Can be blocked by frontline champions

Optimal Skill Order: R > Q > W > E

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

Ultimate Engage Combo: R -> E -> AA -> W -> AA -> Q -> AA

Strengths:

• Multiple forms of CC
• Strong sustain through passive
• Excellent team fight initiation
• Easy to learn mechanics

Weaknesses:

• Needs 2 items to become properly tanky
• Vulnerable to lane bullies
• Struggles against tank shredders
• Limited early game damage

Strong Against:

• Long-fight champions (Sion, Tahm Kench, Cho'Gath)
• Immobile carries
• Team compositions that lack disengage

Weak Against:

• Lane bullies
• Tank shredders (Quinn, Gwen, Olaf)
• High-mobility champions

Build Path: Focus on items that enhance survivability while providing utility:

• Health
• Armor
• Magic Resistance
• Ability Haste
• Items that amplify healing

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