Maokai is a versatile tank jungler who excels at crowd control and team fight disruption. He can be built as a pure tank, full AP, or with support items, making him highly adaptable to various team compositions.

Core Strengths:

• Strong CC abilities
• Multiple build paths
• Excellent team fight presence
• Good jungle clear speed

Ability Priority:

1. Q (Bramble Smash)
2. E (Sapling Toss)
3. W (Twisted Advance)

Ability Leveling Explanation: Q is maxed first for optimal jungle clear speed and consistent damage. E follows as it provides good damage, especially when thrown into bushes for enhanced effect. W is leveled last as it offers minimal jungle clear benefit, mainly serving as a gap closer between camps.

Pro Tip: When clearing Gromp, throw E into the nearby top lane bush and kite Gromp towards it for enhanced sapling damage.

Starting Items:

• Emberknife
• Refillable Potion

Core Build:

1. Sunfire Aegis
2. Plated Steelcaps/Mercury's Treads
3. Thornmail
4. Spirit Visage

Situational Items:

• Demonic Embrace (for AP scaling)
• Force of Nature (vs heavy AP)
• Randuin's Omen (vs crit-heavy teams)
• Warmog's Armor (for sustain)

Early Game Strategy:

• Focus on efficient clearing using Q and E
• Look for gank opportunities where enemies are overextended
• Place saplings in bushes for vision control
• Coordinate with laners who have follow-up CC

Team Fight Role:

• Initiate fights with W
• Disrupt enemy positioning with Q
• Use ultimate for area control
• Protect carries with CC chain

Remember to adapt your build path based on enemy team composition and your team's needs. Maokai's flexibility allows him to be both a primary tank and a source of reliable CC for your team.

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