Guide Sections (16)
Champion Stats
| Role | Marksman / Mage |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate (6/10) |
| Blue Essence | 2400 BE |
The Level 1 Cheese
First Blood Strategy
Start W (Bio-Arcane Barrage) for the increased range and percentage damage. At level 1, you can easily out-reach the enemy ADC and support. If you land a few AAs while W is active, you can secure early lane priority. Level 2 with E (Void Ooze) gives you the slow needed to keep enemies within your range for longer.
The 'Pay-to-Win' Skin Advantage
'Pug'Maw' is the legendary smurf choice—the 'bark' sound effects and the ridiculous dog aesthetic are purely for mental warfare. 'Arcanist Kog'Maw' offers beautiful spell effects and a unique look. 'Bee'Maw' is another great tilt-inducing choice. Avoid 'Caterpillar Kog'Maw' unless you want the absolute basic look to hide your skill.
When They Ban Kog'Maw
Rune Setup
Skill Priority
Order:
W → Q → EMax W first—it's your entire identity, giving you the range and damage you need. Max Q second for the passive attack speed and active resistance shred. Max E last as the slow is primarily for utility.
Mastering Kog'Maw's Kit
Matchup Tips
The Ego Check
When to Queue Dodge
Dodge if facing heavy dive comps with Vi, Nautilus, and Malphite if your team has no peel. You cannot survive their combined engage. Also dodge into Yasuo who can block your entire W duration with one windwall.
Teamfight Role
In teamfights, you are the priority target. Stay behind your frontline and wait for the enemy to commit their main engage abilities. Then, activate W and target the closest threat. Shred their frontline first—with your percentage damage, even the tankiest champions will fall. Use your Passive (Icathian Surprise) to get a final 'revenge kill' if you do happen to go down.
The 'Disrespect' Build
Full On-hit 'Laser' Kog'Maw. Blade of the Ruined King -> Guinsoo's Rageblade -> Runaan's Hurricane -> Wit's End. With this build, you will hit the attack speed cap and fire bolts at everyone. It's the ultimate 'stat-check' build for carrying games where you have a team to peel for you.
Power Windows
Level 6 gives you the artillery poke you need to control lane. Your biggest power spike is reaching 2 items (BotRK + Guinsoo's), which makes your damage output almost impossible to match. At level 11 and 16, your R range becomes truly oppressive.
Tilt Factor
Spam the 'dog bark' emote as Pug'Maw every time you get a kill. Type 'Who let the dog out?' in all-chat. The sight of a tiny dog deleting a 5000-HP Cho'Gath in 3 seconds is one of the most demoralizing things in League.
Recent Patch History
Safety Tips
