Hey Guys :)

This is my first guide ever! I was always fascinated by the people who write those pro elo guides, because they are just filled with tons of details! My guides will not be that informative, but I'll try to listen to the comments and optimize my guides.

I am an average LoL-gamer and I hope my skill and experience will grow from day to day! :)
My in-game name is AwEsOmE So1dier. (sounds not that awesome i know ;D)

Pros on Maokai :
-Nice CC/ ganking power
-Tanky
-Really useful in teamfights
-Low CD on Ult
-Wins almost every mid lane with enough farm
-Free short ward with Sapling Toss
-Great sustain with Sap Magic

Cons
-Mana thirsty
-Not good for running away (but actually you can, if you are smart)
-Needs his farm
-Enemy ganks can become a real problem! (buy wards, save a life)

*I'll add a picture later*

My runes are pretty standard. :3
I go on magic pen, armor and magic resistance per level.
My essences are on mobility, because you can reach your enemys better when you want to "w" them.
Generally it's just very useful.

I use 9/21/0 because it gives you the tankiness you need and also CDR and magic penetration for the extra damage. You can also go 0/21/9 for the mana regeneration but that wouldnt work out as good as my setup does.

Question: Why does Maokai have to be tanky?
Answer: Because you don't make tons of damage with only one combo. You have to, for example, survive inside of your Vengeful Maelstrom to make the most damage possible in a 1on1 or in a team fight. While you easy tanked the combo of their mid champ, you can spam your spells while his spells are on CD and easily win the 1on1. That was just one example.

Because you will almost always fight against an ap on your lane and at the point where you get this item and you are level 6 you have as good as won.

Because it gives you health, life and mana, which is perfect for AP Maokai. With this item you can stay a long time on your lane without having to go back PLUS you don't get weaker because you get HP, mana and AP per minute. Just the best item you can get early.

Because it also gives you Health and a good amount of AP. Also with this item, you can throw your saplings at enemies and they will get slowed.

Simple: Because this item gives you a huge amount of power. A must-have for an efficient AP Maokai.

The rest is just defense depending on the enemy team. The items I suggest, are pretty balanced and also give you some Ability Power.

I max arcane smash first, then Sapling Toss and Twisted Advance third.

Why?

arcane smash Because this has pretty low CD and is the primary damage dealer of Maokai. It also slows the enemy pretty good.

Because this also does heavy damage, but I max it second, because the CD is too high.

This is just the gap closer. It also makes some damage but it's just not worth maxing 1st or 2nd.

Flash: Just because it's Flash.

Exhaust: Maokai isn't pretty good at getting away so this will help you alot if you are chased by one or two champions. But it also helps YOU chasing people.


Alternative: This is a pretty good alternative, it gives you some AP when it is on CD and you can finish off enemies or counter heals like Sion, Master Yi, etc.


I don't recommend any of the others, they just aren't as effective as these.

You are the offtank. Let your main tank always run in first, then you go in 2nd. Try to place your Vengeful Maelstrom, so that you also protect your AD and AP carry.

not finished

You counter:
Mordekaiser
Katarina

Danger!
Vladimir

Maokai is a great offtank and also a pretty solid mid-laner. He will often destroy/outfarm his lane. But he is vulnerable to ganks, so buy wards/listen to your team. He can change a team fight with his Vengeful Maelstrom and his AoE damage.



It was fun crafting my first guide and testing out builds! Please give me some hints in the comments what to do better! Important note: The guide is long before finished! I'll try to gain information and optimize it every day!