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Treat saplings like toll booths, not poke: seed the brush or corner the enemy actually wants to cut through, then make them either pay health and information to enter or give the space up entirely
On Maokai, W tracks and Q places—buffer W into flash or hold it through the enemy’s panic movement, then think about which shoulder you entered from so Q knocks them back into your team instead of out to safety
Do not autopilot E start in lane: into early-contact lanes, Q or W start is often the real answer, and recent data supports playing for the next good walk-up rather than forcing a coinflip repair play because Maokai is less lane-fragile than comparable engage supports
Peel when the fight is already coming through your carry and your Q will do more by stopping a cross than by starting a chase. If a diver, bruiser, or short-range engager has to pass your ADC to function, let them be the one who commits first, then use W to stick to that body and Q to shove them back across the line they just crossed. This is also the cleaner choice when your ult has already split the fight or when a front target is the only thing your team can hit immediately. If your engage would send you past the real threat, stay home and make that threat regret entering.
Maokai's basic attack also heals him and deals additional damage on a moderate cooldown. Each time Maokai casts a spell or is struck by an enemy's spell, this cooldown is reduced.
Maokai knocks back nearby enemies with a shockwave, dealing magic damage and slowing them.
Maokai contorts into a mass of moving roots, becoming untargetable and dashing to the target. Upon arrival, he roots the target.
Maokai flings a sapling to the target area to stand guard. More effective in brush.
Maokai summons a colossal wall of brambles and thorns that slowly advances forwards, damaging and rooting any enemies in the path.
