So when I play maokia I always like to start
first item and first back i get 
and start building 
and 
but i build rod of ages first for flat hp. But everytime I build rod of ages I get called "noob" but with this build ive won 14/5 games so is there a better item to build?
JafarThePanda1 votesDepends on lane opponent what to rush
Always start
Always build
Full damage maokai isn't useful with ult and that's why he goes tank.
Most AP you should build is 
but then go tank.
Example finish build:
Tech items may include:
(doubt you'll ever do this)
Max Q first, then whatever preference for the rest. E's a wave clear at best sometimes a harassment tool, W gives you a tad bit mobility and the root lasts longer (usually 2nd)
Runes depend on what you're doing, but I run a magic pen quint, then 2 attack speed quints, mp marks, armor seals, MR scaling glyphs. Masteries best suited are either strength of ages or bond of stone, but if you really want to be that guy, you could go thunderlord's.
baby reksai1 votessometimes you have to skip rod out of the necessity to go very tank heavy because lotta ppl see you pick him and decide to not pick an off-tank or second tank. I would skip rod if i went into an ad heavy team and just rush sun, ran, thorn. Also randuin isn't very optimal into a team that isn't building crit, so optimize around that. Instead of f-heart you could go ice-gauntlet for the sticky ability. Other than that this guy has a good build. As quints are pretty solid. You could get away with as marks and ap quints due to maokais build towards tank throughout the game. But i would def recommend going with as something. Add that w/ ages, you should be up there in healing done.
JafarThePanda1 votes[{quoted}](name=hanapaa okole,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=qxOe9YTG,comment-id=00000000,timestamp=2016-06-22T10:54:07.897+0000)
sometimes you have to skip rod out of the necessity to go very tank heavy because lotta ppl see you pick him and decide to not pick an off-tank or second tank. I would skip rod if i went into an ad heavy team and just rush sun, ran, thorn. Also randuin isn't very optimal into a team that isn't building crit, so optimize around that. Instead of f-heart you could go ice-gauntlet for the sticky ability. Other than that this guy has a good build. As quints are pretty solid. You could get away with as marks and ap quints due to maokais build towards tank throughout the game. But i would def recommend going with as something. Add that w/ ages, you should be up there in healing done.
keeps people in ult radius, as well as lets your team catchup with very mobile or very immobile comps, no in betweens. Usually I auto-build this vs 
so on so forth.
is good vs ability based champs who don't auto a lot. I could've recommended it but I didn't think that spellblade was THAT important on him.
Runes are also to help with last hitting and trading. Magic Pen is just a little extra damage from your Q and E, but those can be traded for armor marks. I jungle a lot so I never change them around so I have it set to clear camps early, and to be flexible. You'd actually want scaling health seals, armor marks, and flat MR glyphs with probably AP quints or something. I'm not sure. I only have tier 2's because I'm broke lol
baby reksai1 votesYes randuin is good but Building rand heart for ability based champs is not optimal. Hence my reasoning for not always building and rather building for optimal strat. Gauntlet better into movement oriented ability champs. As for magic pen marks theyre good but having that early ap allows for an easier lane followed by maokais main duty which is to tank later in the game.
baby reksai1 votesBut the point of having gauntlet is that maokais autos have enhanced effects and being able to aoe slow along with extra healing from his passive allows for more play. Not to mention heart got nerfed.
Four Star1 votesWhat if you are agianst someone like jax or urgot who do high damage to you early?