Bard
Recommended Build
Most popular build path
Recommended items for Bard: Dead Man's Plate, Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Redemption, Mikael's Blessing, Shurelya's Battlesong.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Domination
Electrocute
Cheap Shot
Deep Ward
Treasure Hunter
Inspiration
Magical Footwear
Jack Of All Trades
Playing as Bard
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim for a wall behind your target
Line up Cosmic Binding (Q) with a wall or a second enemy behind your target: the missile then stuns every enemy hit.
- Freeze the fight with your R
Cast Tempered Fate (R) to freeze a teamfight, or a tower during a dive: everything hit, allies included, goes into stasis.
- Roam through your portals
Open Magical Journey (E) to roam or to get your team out: the portal crosses nearby terrain, but enemies can use it too.
- Collect your Chimes
Collect the Traveler's Call (passive) Chimes whenever your lane allows: they give XP and mana, and enough Chimes add area damage and a slow to your Meeps.
Versus
Compare against an opponent
Bard matchups
Global strengths and weaknesses
All Bard matchups
Build, runes and tips against each opponent
Bard vs Thresh
Bard vs Lulu
Bard vs Nautilus
Bard vs Nami
Bard vs Karma
Bard vs Janna
Bard vs Blitzcrank
Bard vs Leona
Bard vs Pyke
Bard vs Milio
Bard vs Seraphine
Bard vs Senna
Bard vs SorakaPlaying against Bard
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- No wall or ally behind you
Facing him, don't stand with your back to a wall or lined up with an ally or minion: Cosmic Binding (Q) stuns you if it then hits a wall or a second enemy.
- Wait for the stasis to end
Don't waste your spells on a target frozen by Tempered Fate (R): wait for the stasis to end, then strike.
- Ward the walls when he disappears
Ward the walls near you when he disappears: Magical Journey (E) opens a one-way path for him through terrain.
- Play hard when he leaves
When he leaves lane to collect his Traveler's Call (passive) Chimes, play hard on the ally he left alone.
Abilities and cooldowns
Meeps: Bard attracts lesser spirits that assist with his basic attacks to deal extra magic damage. When Bard has collected enough Chimes, his meeps will also deal damage in an area and slow enemies hit.Chimes: Ancient chimes randomly appear for Bard to collect. These grant experience, restore mana, and provide out of combat Move Speed.
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 0s | 22s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 0s | 22s | 1m50 |
| 9 | 7s | 0s | 22s | 1m50 |
| 11 | 7s | 0s | 22s | 1m35 |
| 16 | 7s | 0s | 19s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 7s | 0s | 16s | 1m20 |
How pros play Bard
High-elo players who play this champion.
Patch 16.21.1