Why Maokai in ARAM?
Are you a League of Legends enthusiast looking for an edge in your ARAM games? Have you ever wondered how to maximize Maokai’s potential? Look no further, because this ultimate guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the best Maokai ARAM builds! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, our comprehensive guide, crafted by expert players, will help you dominate the competition and become a force to be reckoned with as Maokai.
In this in-depth guide, we will not only explore the most effective and versatile Maokai builds, but we’ll also delve into the mechanics of his abilities, offer tips and strategies for success, and answer frequently asked questions about the Twisted Treant. We’ve left no stone unturned to ensure that you have all the knowledge you need to take your Maokai gameplay to the next level in ARAM.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your performance and make a lasting impact on the Howling Abyss. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into our ultimate guide to the best Maokai ARAM builds in League of Legends, and let the journey to becoming a Maokai master begin!
Who is Maokai?
Maokai, the Twisted Treant, is a powerful tank and crowd-control champion who excels in both the frontlines and as a supportive force in team fights. His unique combination of tankiness, crowd control, and sustain makes him a formidable opponent in the fast-paced and action-packed environment of ARAM.
The Importance of ARAM Builds: Insights from Challenger Players
When it comes to ARAM, having the right build can make all the difference between dominating the Howling Abyss or falling short of victory. Challenger players understand that optimizing your champion’s build is crucial for success in ARAM, as the game mode’s unique mechanics and fast-paced nature demand a different approach compared to Summoner’s Rift.
Adaptive Itemization
Challenger players emphasize the importance of adaptive itemization. In ARAM, you’re likely to encounter a wide variety of team compositions, and adapting your build to counter the enemy’s strengths or exploit their weaknesses is essential for success. As Maokai, you’ll need to assess whether your team requires a tank, an AP bruiser, or even a full AP mage, and adjust your build accordingly.
Balancing Survivability and Damage
Challenger players also understand the importance of balancing survivability and damage. In ARAM, team fights occur frequently and often involve all ten players. As Maokai, you’ll need a build that allows you to soak up damage for your team while still providing a significant threat to the enemy backline. Knowing when to prioritize tankiness over damage, and vice versa, is key to mastering Maokai in ARAM.
Maximizing Utility and Synergy
Lastly, challenger players recognize the value of maximizing utility and synergy with their builds. Your choice of items should not only complement your champion’s abilities but also synergize with your teammates’ strengths. For Maokai, items that enhance his crowd control, sustain, or area control can be invaluable in securing victories for your team.
Understanding Maokai’s Abilities
To maximize Maokai’s potential in ARAM, it’s crucial to understand his abilities and how they synergize with various builds. Let’s take a closer look at each of his abilities and their impact on his playstyle.
Passive: Sap Magic
Maokai’s passive ability, Sap Magic, allows him to heal himself periodically. Each time he casts a spell or is hit by an enemy ability, Sap Magic’s cooldown is reduced. This passive provides Maokai with impressive sustain in prolonged team fights, making him a formidable frontliner.
Q: Bramble Smash
Bramble Smash is Maokai’s primary damage and crowd control ability. He slams the ground, dealing damage and knocking back enemies. This ability is excellent for peeling enemies off your carries or interrupting channeled abilities. Proper use of Bramble Smash can make a significant difference in team fights.
W: Twisted Advance
Twisted Advance is Maokai’s gap-closer and crowd control ability. He roots a target enemy, dealing damage and briefly immobilizing them. This ability is great for initiating fights, locking down high-priority targets, or interrupting key enemy abilities. Mastering the timing and positioning of Twisted Advance is essential for success with Maokai.
E: Sapling Toss
Sapling Toss allows Maokai to throw a sapling that deals damage and slows enemies upon impact. Saplings also grant vision and can be used for zoning and area control. Proper utilization of Sapling Toss can provide your team with valuable information and force enemies to reposition during fights.
R: Nature’s Grasp
Maokai’s ultimate, Nature’s Grasp, summons a massive wave of roots that slowly advances forward, damaging and rooting any enemy champions caught in its path. This powerful ability can turn the tide of a team fight, as it provides significant crowd control and zone control. Timing and positioning are key when using Nature’s Grasp to ensure maximum impact on the enemy team.
Best Maokai ARAM Builds: Challenger Level Insights
To excel as Maokai in ARAM, it’s crucial to choose the right build, rune setup, and item path tailored to your team’s needs and the enemy’s composition. Based on insights from challenger players, we’ve outlined the most effective Maokai ARAM builds and rune setups.
1. Tank Maokai
Rune Setup
- Primary: Resolve
- Keystone: Aftershock
- Font of Life
- Conditioning
- Overgrowth
- Secondary: Inspiration
- Magical Footwear
- Biscuit Delivery
Item Path
- Start with: Catalyst of Aeons and Refillable Potion
- Core items: Sunfire Aegis, Thornmail, and Abyssal Mask
- Situational items: Gargoyle Stoneplate, Randuin’s Omen, Warmog’s Armor, Force of Nature, and Frozen Heart
This build focuses on maximizing Maokai’s tankiness and survivability during team fights. Aftershock provides extra resistances, while the Resolve and Inspiration trees enhance Maokai’s sustain and utility. The core items offer a mix of health, armor, and magic resist, while the situational items allow for further adaptation to the enemy team’s damage output.
2. AP Bruiser Maokai
Rune Setup
- Primary: Resolve
- Keystone: Grasp of the Undying
- Demolish
- Conditioning
- Overgrowth
- Secondary: Domination
- Cheap Shot
- Ultimate Hunter
Item Path
- Start with: Catalyst of Aeons and Refillable Potion
- Core items: Rod of Ages, Demonic Embrace, and Zhonya’s Hourglass
- Situational items: Morellonomicon, Rylai’s Crystal Scepter, Void Staff, and Banshee’s Veil
This build combines AP damage with tankiness, enabling Maokai to dish out respectable damage while still being able to absorb a fair amount of punishment. Grasp of the Undying enhances Maokai’s sustain, and the Domination tree provides extra damage and utility. Core items focus on boosting AP, health, and resistances, while situational items offer additional damage, utility, or survivability depending on the enemy composition.
3. Full AP Maokai
Rune Setup
- Primary: Domination
- Keystone: Electrocute
- Cheap Shot
- Eyeball Collection
- Ultimate Hunter
- Secondary: Sorcery
- Transcendence
- Gathering Storm
Item Path
- Start with: Lost Chapter and Refillable Potion
- Core items: Luden’s Echo, Liandry’s Anguish, and Rabadon’s Deathcap
- Situational items: Void Staff, Morellonomicon, Banshee’s Veil, and Zhonya’s Hourglass
The full AP Maokai build is a high-risk, high-reward option that emphasizes burst damage and poke. Electrocute adds to Maokai’s burst potential, while Sorcery enhances his scaling and cooldown reduction. Core items focus on maximizing AP and magic penetration, while situational items provide additional damage or survivability depending on the enemy team’s composition.
4. Dark Harvest Maokai
Rune Setup
- Primary: Domination
- Keystone: Dark Harvest
- Cheap Shot
- Eyeball Collection
- Ultimate Hunter
- Secondary: Sorcery
- Transcendence
- Gathering Storm
Item Path
- Start with: Lost Chapter and Refillable Potion
- Core items: Liandry’s Anguish, Demonic Embrace, and Zhonya’s Hourglass
- Situational items: Morellonomicon, Void Staff, Banshee’s Veil, and Rylai’s Crystal Scepter
The Dark Harvest Maokai build is an alternative AP-focused option that revolves around the stacking of the Dark Harvest rune for increased damage as the game progresses. This build is particularly effective in ARAM, where frequent skirmishes and team fights can help Maokai quickly accumulate Dark Harvest stacks.
The Domination tree focuses on enhancing Maokai’s damage potential, while the Sorcery tree boosts his scaling and cooldown reduction. Core items aim to provide a balance between AP, health, and resistances, allowing Maokai to contribute meaningful damage in fights while maintaining some survivability. Situational items offer additional damage or utility, depending on the enemy team’s composition and your team’s needs.
By adopting the Dark Harvest Maokai build, you can exploit the unique mechanics of the ARAM game mode to scale your damage and become a significant threat in the mid-to-late game.
Tips for Success in Maokai ARAM
- Positioning: As Maokai, you want to position yourself between your carries and the enemy team. Your primary role is to protect your teammates and disrupt the enemy backline.
- Timing Abilities: Timing is crucial when playing Maokai. Ensure you use your Twisted Advance to engage at the right moment and time your Nature’s Grasp to catch as many enemies as possible.
- Adapting to the Game: Always adapt your build to the enemy team composition. If the enemy team has a lot of physical damage, prioritize armor items, and if they have a lot of magic damage, prioritize magic resist items.
- Synergizing with Your Team: Communication is key in ARAM. Make sure you coordinate with your team when engaging in fights and using your abilities for maximum effectiveness.
Conclusion
Maokai is a versatile and potent champion in the ARAM game mode in League of Legends. By understanding his abilities and adapting your build to the situation, you can greatly influence the outcome of the game. Whether you choose to play as a tank, an AP bruiser, or a full AP mage, remember to adjust your playstyle accordingly, and don’t forget to communicate with your team for optimal success.
FAQs
Q: What is Maokai’s primary role in ARAM?
A: Maokai’s primary role in ARAM is to act as a frontline tank and provide crowd control for his team.
Q: When should I choose an AP bruiser or full AP build over a tank build?
A: Choose an AP bruiser or full AP build if your team already has a tank or if your team lacks magic damage.
*Q: How can I maximize the effectiveness of Maokai’s Sapling Toss?*
A: To maximize the effectiveness of Sapling Toss, use it for zoning enemies, granting vision in bushes, and slowing enemy champions during team fights.
Q: What are some key items for Tank Maokai in ARAM?
A: Key items for Tank Maokai include Sunfire Aegis, Thornmail, and Abyssal Mask. These items provide a mix of health, armor, and magic resist, making Maokai more durable and harder to kill.
Q: How can I effectively use Maokai’s ultimate, Nature’s Grasp, in ARAM?
A: To effectively use Nature’s Grasp, aim to catch as many enemy champions as possible, and use it in combination with your team’s crowd control abilities. This will help you control the battlefield and set up your team for successful team fights.
