Maokai & Smolder vs Ashe & Bard
Bot Lane MatchupMaokai vs Ashe (with Smolder & Bard) BOT matchup tips: who wins, how to trade, wave control and common mistakes.
You
VS
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Who Wins
- You lose pre-6 due to Ashe's superior range and Bard's Q stun threatening your engage attempts.
- Post-6 you win if you can land W on either carry as your R provides strong follow-up damage and CC.
Synergy & Trading
- Look for W engages when Bard uses Q on minions or mispositions, then follow with Q knockup while Smolder follows up with W.
- Your E bushes should be placed in river brushes to deny Bard roam vision and create pick potential.
Wave Control/Roaming
- You should roam frequently after level 6 when you have R available for ganks.
- Optimal timings are when Smolder has wave control and can safely farm, or when enemy bot recalls and you can impact mid/jungle skirmishes.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't W engage when Bard has Q available and proper positioning, as he can easily stun you mid-dash.
- Avoid face-checking brushes without E saplings as Bard's roam timings can set up ambushes.
Created on 03/14/2026
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