Talk:Maokai/@comment-6016076-20131230142926/@comment-5489694-20140127152818

Returning %mana would provide hidden power. If the % return were low (let's say 3%) it wouldn't return a ton of mana but it would still become an issue in lane. It would make Mao more of a brick wall than he already is and lead to something akin to Yorick's lane power. Mao is already capable of basically ignoring his opponents harass because of the %hp return, a %mana return would allow Mao to stay in lane a lot longer and never be at a mana disadvantage.

%mana return on Mao's passive would be worse than the %mana return Udyr had on Turtle stance because Sap Magic is powered by what his opponents do. It would basically mean using spells around Mao (in a lane situation) is a bad thing, which it sort of true atm anyways. It's just not healthy for player interaction.

If the %mana return is particularly low (I think 3% is pretty low tbh) it'd provide next to nothing to the kit meaning there would be no reason to have it there. The change would barely be beneficial for Mao charging his passive himself and is only useful in situations where allies or opponents are charging Sap Magic.