Maokai vs Bard SUPPORT Matchup Guide

Champion

Opponent

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Read Overview → Trading Pattern → Danger Windows first for the fastest Support lane plan.

Maokai into Bardmedium

Overview

Control side brush with saplings to deny Bard's wall-stun angles and enable ADC follow-up.
Use root from fog for engage only when ADC is ready to follow immediately.
Prioritize river vision to track Bard's roam windows and prevent ADC isolation during his roams.

Stack saplings in brush to zone Bard and create engage angles for your ADC.
Hold root until Bard commits or to punish his engage or roam attempts.
Use knockback to keep Bard and his ADC in range for your ADC's follow-up damage.

Respect wall stun angles from brush that can isolate your ADC if brush control is lost.
Avoid lining up in river chokepoints where can be dodged or stalled by Bard's .
Watch for Bard roaming after wave crash; ensure vision and ADC safety before committing to fights.

Win level 2 by pairing root and knockback to pressure Bard and his ADC.
Maintain brush control early to block stun angles and force safer trades.
Crash wave with ADC before Bard's roam to punish his absence and secure lane priority.

Level 2: + combo unlocks strong engage and peel, enabling aggressive trades with ADC.
Level 3: Full sapling control enhances brush dominance, increasing threat and peel potential.
Level 6: provides powerful engage or counter-engage in river chokepoints, enabling objective control.

Convert brush control into denied angles and secure ADC positioning for engages.
Use in river to start fights or peel, coordinating with ADC for dragon and objective setups.
Punish Bard's roam attempts by crashing waves and setting deep vision to protect your ADC from isolation.

Tactical tip

For Maokai vs Bard, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Support lane check.