As maokai, Very weak during the early game and can easily be killed, especially if the enemy he is facing happens to be ranged in nature.

Grievous Wounds are a must buy against him during the early game. It prevents him from healing a lot, especially when he uses his W, Q engage on a target.

Proper vision control from the enemy team will remove any form of flanking opportunity which Maokai can exploit in order to initiate an all-in. This will reduce Maokai’s effectiveness.  As maokai, Very weak during the early match and can easily be killed, especially if the enemy he is confronted finds himself being varied in nature. Grievous Wounds are a must buy against him during the early match. He prevents him from healing much, especially when he uses his W, Q engage on a target. Controlling the appropriate vision of the enemy team will remove any form of chance of flanking that Maokai can exploit in order to initiate an all-in. This will reduce Maokai's effectiveness.