Maokai is a C tier Top Lane champion in League of Legends Patch 16.5 with a 49.9% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games, according to OP.GG data. The optimal Maokai build starts with Doran's Shield and Health Potion, with core items being Sunfire Aegis, Thornmail, Spirit Visage and Plated Steelcaps. For runes, run Grasp of the Undying from Resolve with Inspiration as the secondary tree. Skill priority is Q > W > E. Maokai is best played with Flash and Teleport as summoner spells. The most challenging matchup in Top Lane is Anivia (S+ tier, 55.3% win rate).
Source: OP.GG Emerald+ ranked data, Patch 16.5 · Last updated: March 2026 · Meridian Zero Analytics
Best Build — Patch 16.5
Start
Doran's ShieldHealth Potion
Core
Sunfire AegisThornmailSpirit Visage
Boots
Plated Steelcaps
Spells
FlashTeleport
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.
Top Lane Matchups — Difficulty by Opponent
| Opponent | Tier | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
Anivia
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Shen
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Kayle
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Garen
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Ornn
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Malphite
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Irelia
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Renekton
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Aatrox
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Vayne
|
S | Hard | Analyze → |
Fiora
|
S | Hard | Analyze → |
Camille
|
S | Hard | Analyze → |
Runes — Patch 16.5
KeystoneGrasp of the Undying
Primary TreeResolve
Slot 1Shield Bash
Slot 2Conditioning
Slot 3Overgrowth
Secondary TreeInspiration
Secondary 1Biscuit Delivery
Secondary 2Cosmic Insight