RIP MAO you never had a chance

Angry Monster·Jul 2, 2014·3 votes·899 views

Riot went to far on the range nerfs on R and w. Never mind the fact champs have blinks/gap closes that target enemies, wards and friendlies have more range. The ult is such a joke now compared to what it was. the range feels like it has been quartered.

No longer can we throw a sapling and twisted advance to Blu or Red. The new range on W makes it impossible. you have to walk all the way around now. This has larger implications than faster jungle clears. Mao no longer can use the jungle to try to escape if the fight goes bad. Also ganks are almost impossible since the enemy will see you every time.

Mao being one of the slowest champs in the game cannot chase people down to use his W. Nor can he move fast enough in a fight to "protect his team" with his ult.

I am not sure what riot think is a tank these days. Tanks are front lien fighters. How can Mao start a fight with these numbers? How is supposed to tank when he has to stand next to high property targets?

If i see Mao next to an adc and they are both in range, i am jumping the ADC. What is Mao bringing that is worth focusing him at that point?

Everything that was MAO just feels BAD now.

6 Comments

CherryfaygoJul 3, 20143 votes

Maokai is one of my favorite champions. This nerf has ruined him. Perfect example of the old adage, "if it's not broke, don't fix it". Please revert Maokai changes!

Angry MonsterJul 3, 20141 votes

Revert A will never happen and B does does not solve the over all issues.

A revert must happen on the range of W though. With the low base speeds mao has he can not use the ability effectively without blowing a summoner on top of it. Also the fact we can not jump brushes anymore is retared

HiphoppopatomusJul 3, 20142 votes

I think they intended his E to be the major method of gap closing, but it's so unreliable (going after minions/not running fast enough) as a slow that it really doesn't assist maokai a whole lot unless he's smart about where he throws it. As far as the ult is concerned I actually like it a little more simply because you can chase with it on and it doesnt simply get left behind and then go on CD when you still need it. Though the range is definitely a lot less.

I think maybe adding a little range back to the W would make maokai feel a lot better. I tried playing him as a support recently and realized what a big nerf to the W range it was.

Angry MonsterJul 3, 20141 votes

just trying to gank lanes made the shorter distance on W noticeable. And sapling throws in order to gank is a stupid idea (if riots goal) saplings have some of the slowest missile animations in the game.

Since riot says they want to release champs a little op so people can learn them makes me worried that they think this verison of Mao is strong. Which clearly it is not.

Sneak DogJul 3, 20141 votes

You now just come in from the side/back like any other jungler, root them, toss your sapling to their escape route and knock them up. Tons of cc. You just need to walk up a bit closer now, so you can't just go around ganking any lane. You need to look for who is not pushed or else diveable, as junglers should.

Maokai tanks with the 25% extra effective health his ult now gives him reliably. He just has a harder time initiating, once he is in range he still has tons of cc and tankiness. If you jump his adc, he will just stomp you out of the air halfway and keep you there (knockups interrupt jumps). His ultimate is indeed now less about protecting his entire team and more about protecting himself and his fighter ally, possibly an assassin too (A bruiser will thank you for that ultimate though, it can chase him diving and 25% extra effective health is a lot).

Angry MonsterJul 3, 20141 votes

Why should Mao have to use every skill in his kit for a half decent engage, when every other jungler can do it with one ablity?

This just seems like bad design at this point. To need all 3 skills is asking to much considering thier high mana and cdr costs.