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Support Maokai (long post, kinda rambling)

tifas left elbow·3/16/2015, 1:05:32 PM·2 votes·1,115 views

Played a few games as him and had loads of fun, but I think I need some pointers. Mainly what to build and when.

Been starting with and I'm not 100% sure I understand how it works (haven't had a lot of practice on supporting, mainly either top or mid). If I kill a minion, my ADC gets the gold + cs and not me, right? Or do I get the gold + cs too?

Started one game with and the active on is pretty fun since Mao already has some good CC anyway.

I read one guide on Mobafire that said DO NOT buy until you've upgraded to . I suppose it makes since cause Maokai has the saplings (built in wards). But I kinda feel like the CD on that is just too much early game to use them on wards because they don't sit around that long and it feels like they would be better spent harassing the enemy side. Thoughts?

Later game, I typically build health until I get enough for and later I've been thinking of getting instead of Aegis, however. The stats just seem too good to ignore and I like taking as Support Mao, so I could drop the portal, back, then warp right back in. Seem legit or am I out of my mind?

The one guide I looked at went with 0/21/9 on masteries with hybrid penetration marks, armor seals, MR glyphs, and flat AP quints. I actually already had those exact runes, but the masteries kinda threw me. My AP was incredibly low (I can't really complain, we won), but I felt like I just wasn't packing enough punch to help my ADC go in. Should I consider 21/9/0 or just stick with the tankiness?

Okay, rambling done. Lemme have it. :)

7 Comments

S H A Y C 03/16/2015, 1:33:23 PM2 votes

Relic Shield: Its fine, in fact id encourage it on all supports that dont have sustain for their adc. How it works - You both get gold, cs, health, but only when you have a charge availible. It will execute minions at lower health, try to save it for cannon minion for more gold, if you have 2 charges use one to sustain the carry and let it start charging again, dont waste it.

Spell thief, is also fine. as you harass you will generate gold and it has mana regen that you will surely need.

Rune page is perfect. nuff said.

Pay attention to his passive, every 5 abilities used around him you can auto anything and get health...do it, theres a lot of abilities being used in duo lanes so this should be every 7-10 seconds.

Locket vs. Portal - personally i like the portal, but you have to learn when its the right item, i wouldnt get portal INSTEAD of locket if they have someone putting out tons of magic damage. but i would certainly get both if you have the chance. the locket gives your team like 100 mr, so in any situation where mr is needed....you buy it period.

if you are feeling unimpactful, 9-21-0 is as far as i would go for "damage" Pick up a iceborn guantlet for extra damage and mana, and tank out like crazy. remember your twisted advance does percentage health damage, target selection is going to be your greatest impact..find the sissy carry and lock him down. your ult is on the lowest possible cooldown so pop it and twisted advace straight to the back line.

hope i was helpful

Dinitrophenol3/16/2015, 1:18:06 PM1 votes

4/10 on the troll post, but i do like support maokai, but your idea on how to build and the kit you give him, is laughable at best.

WolfChases3/16/2015, 1:25:38 PM1 votes

Try him in the jungle, with Cinderhulk, he is indeed a HULK :D

KDA Michael3/16/2015, 2:57:48 PM1 votes

Support maokai could work... I like the relic shield start. It is probably best to keep the 0/21/9 masteries, as what you are bringing to the lane is utility and CC, not damage. I feel like the q,w combo could work a lot like thresh death sentence, flay... I need to try this!

ShooterMcGav3n3/16/2015, 5:24:06 PM1 votes

I play support Mao too he is really great. You can get a lot of good poke with the sapplings. You always want to start off with relic. Even though most adc wont like it, save your relic stacks for the large minions. They get the gold and you get the experience that will let you build your E faster. One way to deal with the CDR on the sapplings. I would suggest building Ages right after you get your site stone. Mao support burns a lot of mana if you are using your sapplings as wards. They have a very long spawn so always remember just to toss one into the jungle. From there is all depends on how the game is going. If you're team is ahead build Lindray's. That makes your sapplings even more of an annoyance for the enemy team. You wont need Ageis as Mao support. With the sight stone, your boots, and Ages. You're not left with many options on what to build.

turtlecoon3/16/2015, 5:34:44 PM1 votes

http://www.op.gg/summoner/userName=%EC%BA%AC+%EC%B7%A8%ED%95%9C%EB%8B%A4

High Korean Challenger Mao'kai main. Plays a decent mix of top/support Mao. May be a good idea to check out his builds and pick out a few of those replays to watch.