Maokai Mid OP GG: A Comprehensive Guide
Maokai, the ancient Chinese General, has long been a favorite among League of Legends players. Known for his powerful abilities and strategic potential, Maokai has become a staple in the mid lane. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of playing Maokai as an OP GG pick, covering his strengths, weaknesses, and optimal strategies.
Maokai’s Abilities
Maokai’s skill set is designed to be both tanky and offensive, making him a formidable presence in the mid lane. Let’s take a closer look at his abilities:
| Ability | Description |
|---|---|
| Q – Stone Shield | Passive: Maokai’s attacks deal bonus damage to enemy champions with low health. Active: Maokai throws a shield at a target, dealing damage and applying a debuff that reduces their armor and magic resist. |
| W – Stone Gaze | Maokai’s next basic attack deals bonus damage and slows the target. This ability can be used to chase down enemies or escape dangerous situations. |
| E – Stone Sentinel | Maokai creates a stone sentinel that blocks incoming damage for a short duration. This ability is crucial for survival and can be used to protect allies or initiate team fights. |
| R – Stone Sentinel | Maokai creates a stone sentinel that blocks incoming damage for a short duration. This ultimate ability can be used to protect allies or initiate team fights. |
Maokai’s Strengths
Maokai’s strengths lie in his tankiness, damage output, and crowd control. Here are some key aspects of his strengths:
- Tanky: Maokai’s passive ability, Stone Shield, allows him to deal bonus damage to enemy champions with low health, making him a great pick against squishy targets.
- Offensive: Maokai’s Q and W abilities provide him with strong single-target damage, allowing him to farm efficiently and contribute significantly to team fights.
- Crowd Control: Maokai’s E ability, Stone Sentinel, can be used to block incoming damage and initiate team fights, making him a valuable asset to his team.
Maokai’s Weaknesses
While Maokai is a powerful champion, he does have some weaknesses that players should be aware of:
- Mana Consumption: Maokai’s abilities consume a significant amount of mana, requiring players to manage their mana pool effectively.
- Early Game Vulnerability: Maokai is relatively weak in the early game, making it crucial to focus on farming and building up his items before engaging in team fights.
- Targeting: Maokai’s Q ability requires precise targeting, and players must be careful not to miss their shots or risk losing the ability’s cooldown.
Optimal Strategies
Playing Maokai effectively requires a combination of skill, positioning, and item builds. Here are some tips to help you excel as Maokai:
- Item Builds: Start with a standard mid lane item build, such as Doran’s Shield and a Health Pot. As you progress, consider building items like Guardian Angel, Warmog’s Armor, and Thorns to enhance your tankiness and damage output.
- Positioning: Maokai is at his best when he can position himself in a way that maximizes his damage output and minimizes his exposure to enemy damage. Try to stay behind your allies and use your Stone Sentinel to block incoming damage.
- Targeting: Focus on enemy champions with low health and use your Q ability to deal bonus damage. Be mindful of your mana pool and avoid using your abilities unnecessarily.
- Team Fights:
