u/Fit-Reputation-9983

Hey all, for the Maokai JG players here I have a question.

Especially with the Aegis “retuning” showing up next patch, how do you all feel about Liandry’s or Sunfire first item?

I don’t main Mao jg or anything but hes been a pocket pick of mine for some time (I used to play him a lot top/jg when he was strong as well)

But with Liandry’s it just feels like you’re way too squishy for early skirmishes unless you chip the fuck out of them with brushed saplings. I understand it helps his clear speed quite a bit, which is sorely needed even after the recent buffs, but I can’t help shaking the idea that I should be going Sunfire first instead for the survivability.

A bit of theorycrafting, but with the jungle pet scaling getting a buff this Wednesday for AP/AR/MR/HP, what are your thoughts on Sunfire first? Or actually…what about sitting on Bami’s to assist with clear speed then building Heartsteel.

Sadly, they are nerfing Immolate’s damage as a clearing tool as well - so maybe the actual answer will be sitting on Fated Ashes until 2nd or 3rd item Liandry’s will be a more appropriate build path. The 4% AP buff on jungle pet damage will help a bit there as well (along with the small buff to his Q scaling recently!

Kind of a ramble but, as I’m sure most of you do, I’ve always enjoyed Maokai’s kit - especially in modern league where his W makes him super sticky even on the most Dash-happy champions.

As a jungler that really seems to want to spam ganks but needs help efficiently clearing, I desperately want to build Heartsteel first in every game…the win rate is good even though it always feels kind of lackluster on junglers.

Especially the higher elo Maokai JG mains, what are your thoughts?

I’m sure we all know we want at least 1000 gold on first back, but say you end up with 1600 (double kill bot, scuttle + kill + 2 assists, etc)…is it worth it to delay Hubris for the Crit Cloak?

Alternatively you put that extra 600g into Longsword + 250g cd item to further progress your first item spike tempo, but I’m wondering if the 20% crit from cloak would be worth it to help accelerate your next clear or two as well as add a classic “1% crit rune” feel to some of your early skirmishes.

Haven’t tested it out myself but I thought about it today after securing a double kill bot on first gank.

I’m assuming 1700 gold might change the math (2 long swords maybe?) but if you’re at 1600 I’m really wondering if the crit cloak is optimal.

I pretty much always run free boots rune so boots aren’t even considered in the math here for me.

TL;DR: Is a 16% DPS increase on your camps for multiple clears worth delaying your first item spike if you get an early windfall of gold?

Might have to go actually test this…

I can fill any role at a plat level. Just want to run some organized 5s for once. Will be using voice chat, should intend to have fun and not be toxic.