Talk:Maokai/@comment-173.85.124.143-20110428014711/@comment-3532889-20110503023234

Thanks Rap, and glad I could help WOB Silas! (made the OP not logged in) IMO, the sapling is an obvious choice for first pick cause it's the safest laning tool, but if you want to use it's utility purposes, i find leveling it up further gets to be too costly, so I save it for last after that. The Arcane Smash does enough damage for those purposes anyway.

Also, I'd like to add that since i've been using this, I've been playing with other boots, and have found that if I use the Boots of Mobility instead, Maokai suddenly becomes really good at getting unexpected Twisted Advances off and ganking other lanes early on.

Not entirely sure what to use instead if they focus more on AP/AD though... I've been alternating with the Merc Treads when I feel like there is a lot of opposing CC but beyond that... For the most part about the most I do is get the Banshees Veil or Frozen Heart earlier if i'm worried about stat-stacking... Either way, Maokai has become one of my favorite champs, and I'm almost never contested for the tank role, so it works out great.