Bard vs Fiddlesticks
Hard matchup
Build vs Fiddlesticks
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Bard: Dead Man's Plate, Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Mikael's Blessing, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Fiddlesticks's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Fiddlesticks' trinket is replaced by scarecrow effigies.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15s | 10s | 10s | – |
| 6 | 14s | 10s | 10s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 13s | 9.5s | 10s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 13s | 9s | 10s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 13s | 8s | 8s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 13s | 8s | 6s | 1m20 |
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.
Playing against Fiddlesticks
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay out of his fear range
Stay out of range of Terrify (Q), a targeted spell that reaches 575: if your range is longer, hit him from there without risking the fear.
- Cut his harvest short
If you have CC, interrupt Bountiful Harvest (W): he heals during the channel, and if he finishes it, the remaining cooldown drops by 60%.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies when he arrives: Crowstorm (R) hits every enemy around him, and Bountiful Harvest (W) drains them all.
- Ward around objectives
Ward the brushes and flanks around objectives: spotted in time, he loses the surprise of Crowstorm (R) and the passive fear of Terrify (Q).
Patch 16.21.1