menu
D

Maokai·Top Guide

Sap MagicP
Bramble SmashQ
Twisted AdvanceW
Sapling TossE
Nature's GraspR
Win rate49.9%-
Pick rate0.4%-
Ban rate21.5%-
Matches9 855-
Maokai Top has a 49.9% win rate and 0.4% pick rate in Emerald + and is currently ranked D tier. Below, you will find a very detailed guide for Maokai Top, where we explain strengths and weaknesses of the champion, powerspikes, and game plans for each stage of the game. Step up your game with our Maokai Top guide!
Maokai Top
Maokai Jungle
Maokai Mid
Maokai Bot
Maokai Support
How good are you at playing Maokai?
Get insights on win rate, KDA, and other metrics on your favorite champions!
Maokai Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths

A supertank who has a ton of CC built into his kit. He can act as a really good frontline for his team and can also peel targets from his carries.

His Ultimate Nature's GraspR can allow him to set up engages from a great distance. This is extremely beneficial when used from out of vision, or when enemies are near a wall.

Provides a lot of vision with his Sapling TossE, which also makes way for brush control. Combine his Sapling TossE slow with his Twisted AdvanceW, he can practically hand pick a target and CC them for some time while his team just follows up on him.

Weaknesses

Very weak during the early game and can easily be killed, especially if the enemy he is facing happens to be ranged in nature.

Grievous Wounds are a must buy against him during the early game. It prevents him from healing a lot, especially when he uses his Twisted AdvanceW, Bramble SmashQ engage on a target.

Proper vision control from the enemy team will remove any form of flanking opportunity which Maokai can exploit in order to initiate an all-in. This will reduce Maokai’s effectiveness.

Game plan
Early game
0 - 15 min
Maokai is Average

Play safe for the first few levels. You need time to come online and you shouldn’t be fighting unless you have a clear early advantage.

Once you have a few levels under your belt, you can start to play aggressive and look for aggressive plays. You benefit from extended trades, so try to go for them frequently.

Keep the minion wave closer to your side of the map throughout the early game. This is the best place for the wave to be as it offers you tons of extra protection.

Mid game
15 - 25 min
Maokai is Average

Split push during the mid-game and try to secure side objectives. Avoid grouping when your Ultimate Nature's GraspR is down.

Group with your team when your Ultimate Nature's GraspR is up. Rotate from the side lane to wherever your team is and look for a pick with your Ultimate Nature's GraspR.

Peel for your allies in team fights. As you’re a tank, you’re rather weak unless your carries are alive. Thus, keeping them alive is key in team fights. Be prepared to peel for them when necessary.

Late game
25+ min
Maokai is Average

Do not fight in the late game unless your Ultimate Nature's GraspR is up. It is crucial that you only commit or look for fights when it is available.

Your Ultimate Nature's GraspR will be on a shorter cooldown in the later stages of the game. If you can find an opportunity to do so, use it to catch out someone who is isolated and alone, too far forward or way out of position.

Peel for your carries to keep them alive for longer. If your allies die quickly, there will be little chance that you will win the team fight.

Power Spikes
Early game0 - 15 min

His early laning is not particularly strong, but he can use the lane brushes and his Sapling TossE to keep the enemy laner at bay. He may even hide in them to all-in enemies when they are pushed up.

Level six will allow him to initiate fights more reliably, especially when setting up ganks. The allied Jungler will have an easy time ganking this lane.

The first item component will allow Maokai to survive longer and dish out more consistent damage in the lane. He just needs to make sure that he doesn't get poked out before a fight.

Mid game15 - 25 min

Once Maokai gets another point in his Ultimate Nature's GraspR, he will use it frequently. If the enemy ignores him leaving the lane, they will not have a good time dealing with Maokai's Ultimate Nature's GraspR and Twisted AdvanceW.

Maokai is quite good in team fights as he can single out enemies and CC multiple enemies with his Ultimate Nature's GraspR. His Passive doesn't let him die easily either, so he can play the role of a disruptor.

His first ability will be maxed out at level 9. This will allow him to deal a lot of damage with the ability and will allow him to use it frequently.

Late game25+ min

Once Maokai's Ultimate Nature's GraspR gets maxed out, the enemy won't have a perfect time in the game. Maokai's team will quickly capitalize on his CC, though.

His tankiness is massive during the late game. His Passive won't let him die while he dives the enemy backline, deals damage of his own to them, and ensures they can't join the fight.

He is decent during late-game fights as his Twisted AdvanceW, and Bramble SmashQ can easily CC a high priority target and prevent them from joining fights. This gives time to his allies to damage the other enemies or collapse on the CC'd target.

Maokai Communities

Join other Maokai mains and discuss your favorite champion!