With Maokai, space out your CC to maintain constant control pressure rather than stacking them unnecessarily. Use your saplings to zone enemy approaches and cut off access routes. In teamfights, your role is to absorb and keep priority targets in place.
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W
Q
E
W for the dash + root, Q for the knockback + slow, E for sustained damage, AA.
R
W
Q
E
R for the long-range root whilst closing in, W on the priority target, Q knockback, E.
W
Q
E
W to close the gap, Q to push the enemy towards your allies, E in a bush for amplified damage.
E
Sapling placed in a bush = bigger explosion and more damage.
Maokai is generally played as Support. The first objective is to control bush vision with e, search for catches on targets without mobility. Its biggest edge comes from reliable point & click (w) engagement and exceptional goal setup (e/r).
Maokai takes over in mid game: proactive roam with jungler; turn every pick into a goal.
Maokai can be punished when strongly countered by anti-control (morgana, olaf) and massive peeling. A practical answer listed here is: Punish immobile ADCs as soon as they lay a ward without cover.
