Maokai is a powerful support tank champion with extensive crowd control (CC) abilities and excellent team fight presence. His kit excels at both engaging fights and protecting allies.

Core Strengths:

• Strong CC abilities for engage and peel
• Ultimate provides long-range engagement
• Excellent vision control with saplings (E)
• High durability in team fights
• Strong objective control

Power Spikes:

• Level 2: First significant spike with CC combo potential
• Level 6: Major spike with Ultimate unlock
• Level 9: E ability maxed, increasing brush control
• Late game: Enhanced tankiness and team fight presence

Early Game Strategy:

• Place saplings in lane brushes for control
• Begin ganking at level 3
• Purchase boots early for roaming potential
• Focus on poking with saplings before all-ins

Mid Game Approach:

• Look for picks with jungle invades
• Set up vision with saplings
• Peel for carries in team fights
• Utilize choke points for maximum CC impact

Late Game Focus:

• Initiate team fights with Ultimate
• Protect backline carries
• Control objectives with brush presence
• Leverage fog of war for engagement

Weaknesses:

• Vulnerable early game
• Countered by Grievous Wounds
• Dependent on proper vision control
• Limited effectiveness without brush control

Tips for Success:

• Use Ultimate from fog of war for surprise engages
• Combine E slow with W for guaranteed CC
• Coordinate with jungler for invades
• Maintain constant brush control
• Focus high-priority targets in team fights

Best played with aggressive ADCs who can follow up on engages. Excels in objective-focused gameplay and team compositions that benefit from strong frontline presence.

Common Counters:

• Ranged supports
• Champions with strong early game
• Mobile carries
• Anti-tank champions

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