@Mrs Warboys :I would completly agree IF this build was for a Off-Tank/Mage Maokai and if you max Saplings first, but this is not the case. I agree the increased damage is helpful, but it's completly wasted once you get a few levels and not increase Saplings past level 1 and the ennemies start getting some resistances. The offensive masteries are put at much better use in the Utility tree as they'll be usefull troughout the game. If you look at the build, you'll also see that it does not contain any AP items whatsoever. Let's check out the maths...

-Archmage's Savy: increase AP by 0.6/level , 10.8 AP at level 18. That's a waste. Even early game.
-Sorcery : 3% CDR. Removes .18secs on Q , .39 on W , .36 on E, and 1.2 secs on Ult. Randuin's and Frozen Heart are the only CDR items in the list, giving themselves a 25% CDR. 3% is meh.
-Archaic Knowledge: 15% Magic Pen. Powerful Mastery, on a AP Caster, wich sadly, this build is not. At level 18 you'll be sitting on a whopping 11 Ap.

Offensive Tree is wasted on this build.

@Yiyas : You really can't go wrong with more regen. As for the runes, just keep on playing, you'll get them eventually. If you can't get T3 runes, get T1, since the T2 are just realy too expesive. T1 does more the job.

Magic Pen and AP is very useful early game. Sapling Toss is the 2nd most powerful non-ultimate ability in the game (After a max range Nidalee Spear). If you get early AP you can take advantage of that and farm much quicker (both creeps and champs), that's why 9 in Offensive is always helpful, as well as the much needed cooldown reduction and cripple. Nothing goes wasted in the offensive tree for Maokai.

Heh I just started using that while I was trying out FoN for effectiveness! I picked the Banshee's Veil because it gave HP and MR for a more overall defensive level but then again that HPregen on FoN takes about 20s to regenerate BV hp lost. I missed the update where it has 45s instead of 30s.

Marks I am really unsure about; but 9xMR or 9xArmor would be good to cancel out the rune bonus the enemy has. HP marks (which would give 30-90hp) just cost far too much to me.

It seems I missed the masteries section! Like Zarq29, I dont know why you'd wanna go with AP masteries. Go for 1/21/8
Offensive Tree:
-keep a point in Cripple. Remove everything else.
Defensive Tree:
-Swtich Ardor for Dodge Chance. There's really no use for Ardor in this build.
Utility Tree:
-Good Hands 3/3, and 1/3 on Regen
-Xp Gain 3/3

Good guide. I prefer Tank Maokai over AP maokai.
Good tips to play him, and the "Tank Stats" section comes handy to tank players :)

PS: why Ardor ? and AP masteries? Doesnt it a waste since you dont get any AP?

Bye

I like this guide alot! I personaly dont use Maokai as a tank, I find he better suits the off-tank role. But I have to admit you've done a great job on every aspect of building a guide.

However, I must question 2 things:

-The use of Banshee's Veil. I just dont believe it's cost effective, even before the nerf from 30 to 45 secs. This item is really expensive, and the tank doesnt get much gold. I would recommend going for Force of Nature to cover the Magic Resistance, plus it gives Maokai a much needed boost. I know FoN is in the situational items list, but I dont think Banshee's should be part of the core. It blocks the first spell of a teamfight. Your the tank, you ought to be able to take it like a man.

-Also, Mpen runes? Not so sure about that one either. Maokai's spells dont do much damage, they CONTROL. Damage and Attack Speed Marks are even worst. Never get these for a tank. More Defensive stats are much better suited for this build, since the effectivness of offensive stats marks are laughable.

Well, that was my 2 cents worth. Really enjoyed the guide! +1