10 Best Champions To Counter Maokai In League of Legends

Maokai is one of the most durable and disruptive tanks in League of Legends, known for his sustain, crowd control, and ability to control team fights. With Sapling Toss (E) for zoning, Twisted Advance (W) for reliable lockdown, and Nature’s Grasp (R) for large-scale engages, he excels at setting up fights and peeling for his team. However, Maokai has clear weaknesses that the right champions can exploit, such as his reliance on mana, struggles against sustain-heavy champions, and vulnerability to anti-tank picks that can shred his defenses. Whether you’re looking for bruisers that can out-sustain him, mages that can poke him down, or tanks that can neutralize his engage, there are plenty of ways to counter Maokai. In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best champions to counter Maokai and how to shut down his impact in the game.

#10: Jayce

Jayce is a strong counter to Maokai due to his ranged poke, ability to disengage, and mixed damage output. Maokai relies on engaging with Twisted Advance (W) and zoning with Sapling Toss (E), but Jayce can keep his distance with Shock Blast (Q) in Cannon Form, preventing Maokai from finding good trades. Additionally, Jayce’s Thundering Blow (E) in Hammer Form can knock Maokai back, disrupting his engage and creating space to continue poking. Since Maokai struggles against ranged champions who can harass him before he gets close, Jayce forces him into a passive playstyle where he struggles to find effective fights.

#9: Sylas

Sylas is a strong counter to Maokai due to his ability to steal Nature’s Grasp (R), sustain through trades, and deal high burst damage that Maokai struggles to mitigate. Maokai relies on crowd control and tankiness to control fights, but Sylas can use Kingslayer (W) to heal through Maokai’s poke and extended trades. Additionally, Sylas’s Abscond/Abduct (E) allows him to dodge Maokai’s Twisted Advance (W) and reposition to land a counter-engage. The biggest counter to Maokai is Hijack (R), which lets Sylas steal Nature’s Grasp (R) and use it more effectively, often turning Maokai’s engage against him. Since Sylas excels in extended trades and can out-sustain Maokai, he forces Maokai into a defensive playstyle where he struggles to make an impact in lane and team fights.

#8: Zyra

Zyra is a strong counter to Maokai due to her ability to poke him down, control space with plants, and punish his predictable engages. Maokai relies on closing the gap with Twisted Advance (W), but Zyra’s Grasping Roots (E) can root him before he reaches his target, disrupting his initiation. Additionally, her Rampant Growth (W) and Deadly Spines (Q) allow her to poke and harass Maokai from a safe distance, making it difficult for him to sustain through trades. The biggest counter to Maokai is Stranglethorns (R), which knocks up enemies in a large area, countering his Nature’s Grasp (R) engage and punishing his team for grouping too closely. Since Maokai struggles against champions who can poke and zone him out, Zyra forces him into a passive playstyle where he struggles to land effective engages.

#7: Morgana

Morgana is a strong counter to Maokai due to her ability to block his crowd control, poke him from range, and disrupt his engages. Maokai relies on Twisted Advance (W) to lock down targets, but Morgana’s Black Shield (E) completely negates the root, preventing him from setting up fights. Additionally, Dark Binding (Q) is one of the longest-rooting abilities in the game, making it difficult for Maokai to approach once caught. The biggest counter to Maokai is Soul Shackles (R), which forces him to stay in a bad position if he engages, stunning him if he remains in range. Since Maokai struggles against champions who can block or counter his crowd control, Morgana forces him into an awkward playstyle where he struggles to initiate or peel effectively.

#6: Vladimir

Vladimir is a strong counter to Maokai due to his sustain, magic damage, and ability to avoid Maokai’s crowd control. Maokai relies on engaging with Twisted Advance (W) and locking down enemies, but Vladimir’s Sanguine Pool (W) allows him to become untargetable, completely dodging Maokai’s root and Nature’s Grasp (R). Additionally, Vladimir’s Transfusion (Q) provides consistent healing, making it difficult for Maokai to poke him down with Sapling Toss (E). Since Vladimir scales extremely well into the late game and can deal high AoE magic damage with Hemoplague (R), he forces Maokai into a passive playstyle where he struggles to trade effectively or contribute significantly to team fights.

#5: Olaf

Olaf is a strong counter to Maokai due to his ability to ignore crowd control, sustain through trades, and shred tanks with true damage. Maokai relies on locking down enemies with Twisted Advance (W) and Nature’s Grasp (R), but Olaf’s Ragnarok (R) makes him immune to crowd control, allowing him to chase Maokai down without being stopped. Additionally, Vicious Strikes (W) provides lifesteal and attack speed, helping Olaf sustain through Maokai’s poke and win extended trades. His Reckless Swing (E) deals true damage, bypassing Maokai’s tankiness and making it difficult for him to survive all-ins. Since Olaf thrives in extended fights and can force engagements on his own terms, he neutralizes Maokai’s ability to dictate fights and makes him much less effective in both lane and team fights.

#4: Gwen

Gwen is a strong counter to Maokai due to her true damage, sustain, and ability to avoid his crowd control. Maokai relies on engaging with Twisted Advance (W) and disrupting enemies with Nature’s Grasp (R), but Gwen’s Hallowed Mist (W) makes her untargetable to all non-tower-targeted abilities, preventing him from locking her down. Additionally, her Snip Snip! (Q) deals true damage when fully stacked, bypassing Maokai’s high armor and making it easier to win trades. Skip ‘n Slash (E) gives Gwen mobility, helping her reposition and avoid his Sapling Toss (E) poke. Since Gwen scales well into the late game and thrives against tanky champions, she forces Maokai into a passive role where he struggles to control fights or survive in extended engagements.

#3: Darius

Darius is a strong counter to Maokai due to his ability to dominate extended trades, sustain through poke, and shred tanks with true damage. Maokai relies on crowd control and durability to win fights, but Darius’s Decimate (Q) allows him to heal off trades and sustain through Maokai’s poke from Sapling Toss (E). Additionally, Crippling Strike (W) slows Maokai, making it difficult for him to escape once Darius gets on top of him. The biggest counter to Maokai is Noxian Guillotine (R), which deals true damage and executes low-health targets, bypassing Maokai’s tankiness and making it difficult for him to survive all-ins. Since Darius thrives in extended fights and can punish Maokai’s passive playstyle, he forces him into a losing matchup where he struggles to be effective in lane and team fights.

#2: Fiora

Fiora is a strong counter to Maokai due to her ability to deal true damage, sustain through trades, and negate his crowd control. Maokai relies on Twisted Advance (W) and Nature’s Grasp (R) to lock down enemies, but Fiora’s Riposte (W) can completely block and stun Maokai if timed correctly, preventing him from engaging or peeling effectively. Additionally, Duelist’s Dance (Passive) allows Fiora to deal bonus true damage, bypassing Maokai’s armor stacking and making extended trades heavily in her favor. Since Fiora scales well into the late game and excels in split-pushing, she forces Maokai into a difficult matchup where he struggles to trade effectively, hold sidelanes, or be a major threat in team fights.

#1: Trundle

Trundle is the best counter to Maokai due to his ability to steal Maokai’s tank stats, sustain through fights, and dominate extended trades. Maokai relies on durability and crowd control to be effective, but Trundle’s Subjugate (R) drains a massive portion of Maokai’s armor and magic resist, turning his tankiness against him. Additionally, Chomp (Q) reduces Maokai’s attack damage, further weakening his ability to trade. Trundle’s Frozen Domain (W) gives him increased healing and movement speed, making it easy to chase Maokai down and sustain through his poke from Sapling Toss (E). Since Trundle thrives in extended fights and counters tanks directly, he completely neutralizes Maokai’s effectiveness, forcing him into a passive role where he struggles to impact the game.

Conclusion

Maokai may be a durable frontline tank with strong crowd control, but the right champions can shut him down and limit his impact. Champions like Trundle, Fiora, and Darius excel at shredding tanks and bypassing his defenses, while mobile fighters like Gwen and Olaf can sustain through his abilities and avoid his crowd control. Poke champions like Jayce and Zyra make it difficult for Maokai to engage, while Sylas and Morgana can disrupt his initiation tools. Whether you prefer tank-busting bruisers, sustain-heavy fighters, or ranged poke champions, there are plenty of ways to counter Maokai and prevent him from controlling fights. By choosing the right champion and playing smart, you can neutralize Maokai’s strengths and take control of the game.