Maokaivs Zilean
Maokai vs Zilean is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.14. Zilean wins with a 54.5% win rate (+9.1%) over Maokai based on 11 games. Maokai wins the early laning phase while Zilean scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Maokai build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Maokai vs Zilean matchup.
Maokai Matchup Breakdown
Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Maokai performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.
Who Wins the Maokai vs Zilean Matchup?
Maokai vs Zilean Matchup Summary
The Maokai vs Zilean matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 11 recent matches analyzed, Zilean wins with a 54.5% win rate compared to Maokai's 45.5%, giving Zilean a 9.1 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Maokai controls the early laning stage, but Zilean outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Maokai needs to press advantages before Zilean reaches their power spikes, while Zilean should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Maokai leads by 1.2s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Zilean has a strong advantage in this matchup. Maokai players should play defensively, prioritize safe farming under tower, and look for opportunities created by jungle pressure or Zilean overextending. Avoid prolonged trades and wait for team fights where positioning and coordination matter more. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.
Maokai vs Zilean Laning Phase Breakdown
Zilean is favored during the laning phase against Maokai, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Zilean holds advantages in farming, damage and gold income, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.
Best Maokai Build Against Zilean
Plated Steelcaps is the optimal boots choice against Zilean, providing the mobility and stats Maokai needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Maokai against Zilean are Locket of the Iron Solari, Thornmail and Unending Despair. This combination gives Maokai an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. This build performs exceptionally well, achieving a 100.0% win rate across 1 games — well above average and making it the top item path against Zilean. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Maokai vs Zilean matchup.
Early Game vs Late Game
Maokai60.0%
Zilean40.0%Maokai33.3%Zilean66.7%Maokai dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 60.0% win rate — a 20.0 percentage point lead over Zilean. This lopsided early game means Maokai can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.
Zilean is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 66.7% win rate — 33.3 points above Maokai. Extended games heavily favor Zilean, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.
This matchup features a dramatic power shift: Maokai must aggressively press their early advantage and close out the game before Zilean reaches their scaling breakpoints. If Zilean survives the laning phase without falling too far behind, the matchup flips in their favor. Dragon and Rift Herald control are pivotal — the team that secures early objectives can snowball or buy time to scale.
Best Maokai Runes Against Zilean
Resolve
Inspiration
The Resolve and Inspiration rune setup gives Maokai the best tools to compete against Zilean in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.
Maokai matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.14. The table below shows Maokai's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Maokai build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.
Opponent | Win Rate | Matches | CS/min | DMG/min | Gold/game | Early WR | Late WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.86% | 70 | 1.4 | 441 | 8,724 | 44.4% | 41.9% | |
| 53.73% | 67 | 1.4 | 463 | 8,986 | 65.0% | 48.9% | |
| 59.18% | 49 | 1.3 | 573 | 10,161 | 57.1% | 60.0% | |
| 58.33% | 48 | 1.4 | 439 | 8,867 | 35.0% | 75.0% | |
| 42.55% | 47 | 1.2 | 441 | 8,917 | 27.8% | 51.7% | |
| 51.16% | 43 | 1.4 | 502 | 7,644 | 36.0% | 72.2% | |
| 36.84% | 38 | 1.3 | 455 | 8,402 | 41.2% | 33.3% | |
| 37.50% | 32 | 1.2 | 491 | 8,631 | 46.1% | 31.6% | |
| 73.33% | 30 | 1.4 | 439 | 7,799 | 60.0% | 86.7% | |
| 56.67% | 30 | 1.4 | 523 | 8,384 | 57.1% | 56.3% | |
| 50.00% | 28 | 1.3 | 476 | 8,725 | 30.0% | 61.1% | |
| 51.85% | 27 | 1.6 | 581 | 9,109 | 55.6% | 50.0% | |
| 56.00% | 25 | 1.5 | 489 | 9,054 | 60.0% | 53.3% | |
| 62.50% | 24 | 1.5 | 562 | 10,163 | 66.7% | 60.0% | |
| 54.17% | 24 | 1.4 | 474 | 9,245 | 57.1% | 52.9% | |
| 56.52% | 23 | 1.6 | 499 | 9,010 | 33.3% | 71.4% | |
| 36.36% | 22 | 1.4 | 494 | 8,872 | 25.0% | 42.9% | |
| 27.27% | 22 | 1.4 | 430 | 8,634 | 33.3% | 20.0% | |
| 57.14% | 21 | 1.6 | 515 | 10,337 | 57.1% | 57.1% | |
| 70.00% | 20 | 1.6 | 547 | 9,931 | 66.7% | 71.4% | |
| 38.89% | 18 | 1.4 | 520 | 9,657 | 40.0% | 38.5% | |
| 66.67% | 18 | 1.4 | 357 | 7,414 | 72.7% | 57.1% | |
| 66.67% | 18 | 1.5 | 481 | 8,691 | 62.5% | 70.0% | |
| 56.25% | 16 | 1.6 | 449 | 7,527 | 25.0% | 87.5% | |
| 43.75% | 16 | 1.0 | 617 | 11,347 | 20.0% | 54.5% | |
| 56.25% | 16 | 1.3 | 542 | 8,411 | 77.8% | 28.6% | |
| 46.67% | 15 | 1.3 | 521 | 9,541 | 20.0% | 60.0% | |
| 53.33% | 15 | 4.4 | 701 | 9,667 | 75.0% | 28.6% | |
| 35.71% | 14 | 2.2 | 624 | 8,778 | 75.0% | 20.0% | |
| 64.29% | 14 | 1.5 | 524 | 9,720 | 83.3% | 50.0% | |
| 76.92% | 13 | 1.5 | 503 | 7,927 | 75.0% | 80.0% | |
| 50.00% | 12 | 4.8 | 717 | 9,717 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 45.45% | 11 | 1.2 | 480 | 9,876 | 60.0% | 33.3% | |
| 36.36% | 11 | 1.1 | 475 | 8,439 | 40.0% | 33.3% | |
| 36.36% | 11 | 1.4 | 437 | 7,743 | 40.0% | 33.3% | |
| 70.00% | 10 | 1.6 | 606 | 11,365 | 66.7% | 75.0% | |
| 80.00% | 10 | 5.9 | 801 | 12,291 | 100.0% | 77.8% | |
| 50.00% | 10 | 4.5 | 802 | 10,620 | 33.3% | 57.1% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 4.5 | 683 | 7,377 | 33.3% | 100.0% | |
| 77.78% | 9 | 1.5 | 592 | 11,818 | 100.0% | 71.4% | |
| 77.78% | 9 | 1.9 | 487 | 8,773 | 80.0% | 75.0% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 1.6 | 565 | 10,091 | 50.0% | 20.0% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 1.0 | 505 | 6,292 | 40.0% | 50.0% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 4.9 | 635 | 10,343 | 25.0% | 60.0% | |
| 66.67% | 9 | 1.5 | 640 | 7,466 | 40.0% | 100.0% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 1.5 | 575 | 8,317 | 25.0% | 40.0% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 1.3 | 478 | 9,345 | 33.3% | 40.0% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 0.9 | 493 | 10,391 | 20.0% | 66.7% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 2.7 | 583 | 9,922 | 50.0% | 25.0% | |
| 62.50% | 8 | 2.2 | 623 | 11,264 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 12.50% | 8 | 1.4 | 661 | 11,655 | 0.0% | 14.3% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 5.1 | 680 | 11,182 | 25.0% | 66.7% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 1.9 | 484 | 7,452 | 75.0% | 0.0% | |
| 28.57% | 7 | 0.8 | 621 | 11,925 | 0.0% | 33.3% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 5.1 | 918 | 10,553 | 100.0% | 20.0% | |
| 71.43% | 7 | 5.5 | 670 | 9,882 | 100.0% | 66.7% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 1.0 | 466 | 9,998 | 50.0% | 40.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 4.5 | 638 | 9,644 | 66.7% | 0.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 6.1 | 930 | 7,781 | 33.3% | 66.7% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 4.1 | 890 | 10,665 | 33.3% | 66.7% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 1.7 | 581 | 9,913 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 4.1 | 710 | 8,412 | 25.0% | 50.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 0.7 | 406 | 5,914 | 33.3% | 66.7% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 1.5 | 714 | 9,934 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 1.8 | 424 | 8,806 | 33.3% | 66.7% | |
| 80.00% | 5 | 3.5 | 760 | 10,328 | 100.0% | 66.7% | |
| 80.00% | 5 | 4.0 | 619 | 10,310 | 100.0% | 66.7% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 2.8 | 747 | 8,500 | 100.0% | 33.3% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 4.9 | 927 | 9,732 | 50.0% | 33.3% | |
Help us maintain accuracy! If you notice incorrect stats, missing data, or any issues, your feedback directly improves the quality of our data for the entire community.
Maokai vs Zilean - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Maokai do against Zilean in League of Legends?
Zilean wins the Maokai vs Zilean matchup with a 54.5% win rate compared to Maokai's 45.5%, a 9.1 percentage point difference. This data is based on 11 recent ranked games in patch 26.14.
How does Maokai do against Zilean in the early game?
In the early game, Maokai has the advantage against Zilean with a 60.0% win rate versus 40.0%. Maokai players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.
How does Maokai do against Zilean in the late game?
In the late game, Zilean takes over the Maokai vs Zilean matchup with a 66.7% win rate compared to 33.3%. Zilean scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.
Who wins the Maokai vs Zilean matchup?
Zilean wins the matchup against Maokai with a 54.5% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.14. The 9.1 percentage point advantage means Zilean is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 11 games analyzed.
What is the best Maokai build against Zilean?
The best Maokai build against Zilean includes Locket of the Iron Solari, Thornmail, Unending Despair with Plated Steelcaps. This build achieves a 100.0% win rate in the matchup. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.
What are the best Maokai runes against Zilean?
The best Maokai runes against Zilean use the Resolve primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 50.0% win rate in the Maokai vs Zilean matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.
Does Maokai counter Zilean?
No, Maokai struggles against Zilean with only a 45.5% win rate. Zilean has the advantage in this matchup. Maokai players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Zilean's lead.
How do I play Maokai against Zilean?
When playing Maokai against Zilean, play cautiously and avoid Zilean's power spikes. Look for jungle assistance and team-dependent plays since Zilean has the statistical advantage at most stages. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.