Here's a comprehensive guide for Maokai Support, focusing on key gameplay elements and strategies.

Maokai is a powerful supertank support who excels at crowd control and team fight initiation. His kit provides excellent peel for carries while offering strong brush control through his saplings.

Core Strengths:

• Strong CC abilities for engage and peel
• Excellent vision control with saplings (E)
• Powerful team fight ultimate
• High sustain through passive healing
• Great pick potential from brush

Key Power Spikes:

• Level 2: First major engage potential with W+Q combo
• Level 3: Full CC chain becomes available
• Level 6: Ultimate adds massive team fight presence
• Level 9: E max increases sapling damage significantly

Early Game Strategy:

• Place saplings in lane brushes to establish control
• Start roaming at level 3 with W-Q lockdown combo
• Buy boots early to improve roaming potential
• Use E for vision control and brush zoning

Mid Game Approach:

• Coordinate jungle invades with your team
• Set up vision traps with saplings in key pathways
• Focus on peeling for carries in team fights
• Utilize choke points for maximum CC impact

Late Game Tactics:

• Initiate team fights from fog of war using ultimate
• Maintain frontline presence while protecting carries
• Use brush control to create pick opportunities
• Leverage short ultimate cooldown for frequent engages

Key Weaknesses:

• Vulnerable early game, especially to ranged champions
• Susceptible to Grievous Wounds
• Relies heavily on proper vision control
• Limited effectiveness without brush access

Tips for Success:

• Coordinate sapling placement with ganks
• Use ultimate from unexpected angles
• Chain CC abilities for maximum lockdown
• Maintain consistent vision control
• Stay near carries during late-game fights

Counter Play:

• Establish strong vision control
• Apply Grievous Wounds early
• Avoid fighting near brushes
• Keep distance from choke points

By maximizing Maokai's utility and understanding his power spikes, players can effectively control team fights and create opportunities for their team while providing crucial protection for carries.

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