Maokai

Maokai jungle is engage + power-farm. Start Hunter's Talisman + Refillable. Full clear: Red→Krugs→Raptors→Wolves→Blue→Gromp. Hit lvl 3 by 3:30 — first gank window.

Gank lanes with CC chain. Aftershock keystone gives 80+ armor/MR for 2.5s on engage. Look for Scuttle Crab fight at 3:30. Ward enemy jungle.

Sunfire Aegis + Plated Steelcaps is the standard spike. Maokai = frontline engager. Force objective fights (drake/grub/herald) with R + CC chain.

Frozen Heart 2nd item shreds enemy AS. Gargoyle Stoneplate 3rd-4th item for teamfight survival. Counter-jungle when ahead.

Frontline engager. Maokai starts every teamfight. R + CC chain on priority target — peel back for ADC + carry follow-up.

Adaptive Helm vs DoT comps. Anathema's Chains vs fed hyper-carry. Stand between ADC and enemy frontline as peel.

Engage objective fights → snowball lanes via ganks → 5v5 → close. Maokai doesn't carry alone; team needs damage from ADC + mid.

Win: 2+ objective secures + 4+ kill assists from ganks. Lose to: power-farmers (Master Yi, Karthus) — counter-gank to deny their scaling.

Level 3 — full kit + first gank window. Level 6 — R for guaranteed engage. Sunfire Aegis (1st item) — AoE wave clear + chip damage. Plated Steelcaps + Sunfire — armor + AoE spike. Level 11 — R rank 2 + 2-3 items. Gargoyle Stoneplate (4th item) — teamfight survival ability.

Combos:

• Engage ability -> R (CC chain) -> peel back to ADC
• Grasp procs every 4s in extended trades
• Build full tank — your damage comes from AoE passives

Anti-tips:

• Don't engage 1v5 — wait for full team setup
• Don't blow Flash + R for non-priority target
• Don't 1v1 skirmishers — they out-duel tanks

Pro tricks:

• Track enemy jungle pathing — counter-gank or invade
• Smite priority targets in skirmishes (steal kills)
• Ward Baron/Dragon pit 60s before spawn