What is the best build for Maokai Support in Patch 16.5?

The optimal Maokai Support build starts with Relic Shield and Health Potion. Core items are Locket of the Iron Solari, Knight's Vow, Zeke's Convergence with Plated Steelcaps. Run Flash and Ignite as summoner spells.

What runes should I use on Maokai Support?

Maokai Support runs Guardian as the keystone in Resolve with Font of Life, Conditioning, and Revitalize. Secondary tree is Inspiration with Biscuit Delivery and Cosmic Insight.

Is Maokai good in Patch 16.5?

Maokai is A tier in Support with a 50.9% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games on Patch 16.5, according to OP.GG data. Maokai is a solid, balanced pick.

What are Maokai's power spikes in Support?

Maokai hits a significant power spike when completing Locket of the Iron Solari. The two-item spike with Locket of the Iron Solari and Knight's Vow is when Maokai becomes a major threat. Skill priority is Q > W > E, so maxing the primary ability first accelerates early-game power.

When should I pick Maokai in ranked?

Maokai is a A tier Support pick in Patch 16.5 with a 2.3% pick rate. Maokai works well as a Tank and Support and fits team compositions that need frontline durability.

What summoner spells should I run on Maokai Support?

The recommended summoner spells for Maokai Support are Flash and Ignite. This is the highest win-rate combination in Emerald+ ranked games on Patch 16.5.

What is Maokai's hardest matchup in Support?

Nami is one of the toughest Support matchups for Maokai. Nami is S+ tier with a 51.8% win rate. Use Meridian Zero's matchup analysis tool to get detailed trading patterns and win conditions for Maokai vs Nami.

Maokai Support Guide — Patch 16.5 Builds, Runes & Matchups

Maokai is a A tier Support champion in League of Legends Patch 16.5 with a 50.9% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games, according to OP.GG data. The optimal Maokai build starts with Relic Shield and Health Potion, with core items being Locket of the Iron Solari, Knight's Vow, Zeke's Convergence and Plated Steelcaps. For runes, run Guardian from Resolve with Inspiration as the secondary tree. Skill priority is Q > W > E. Maokai is best played with Flash and Ignite as summoner spells. The most challenging matchup in Support is Nami (S+ tier, 51.8% win rate).

Source: OP.GG Emerald+ ranked data, Patch 16.5 · Last updated: March 2026 · Meridian Zero Analytics

Best Build — Patch 16.5

Start Relic ShieldHealth Potion

Core Locket of the Iron SolariKnight's VowZeke's Convergence

Boots Plated Steelcaps

Spells FlashIgnite

Priority Q > W > E

Expert Tips

Bramble Smash (Q) knocks back. Use it to peel divers off your ADC, not for engage.
Sapling Toss (E) placed in bush does double damage. Hide every sapling in a brush.
Nature's Grasp (R) is slow-moving but unstoppable AoE. Fire it into a clustered enemy backline in teamfights.

Support Matchups — Difficulty by Opponent

Opponent	Tier	Difficulty
Nami	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Bard	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Braum	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Thresh	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Karma	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Taric	S	Hard	Analyze →
Rakan	S	Hard	Analyze →
Janna	S	Hard	Analyze →
Brand	S	Hard	Analyze →
Senna	S	Hard	Analyze →
Seraphine	S	Hard	Analyze →
Pyke	S	Hard	Analyze →

Runes — Patch 16.5

KeystoneGuardian

Primary TreeResolve

Slot 1Font of Life

Slot 2Conditioning

Slot 3Revitalize

Secondary TreeInspiration

Secondary 1Biscuit Delivery

Secondary 2Cosmic Insight