Bard vs Karma
Skill matchup
Build vs Karma
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Bard: Dead Man's Plate, Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Solstice Sleigh, Celestial Opposition, Mikael's Blessing.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Karma's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Karma's damaging abilities will reduce the cooldown of Mantra.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 12s | 10s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 12s | 10s | 40s |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 10s | 40s |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 10s | 38s |
| 16 | 5s | 12s | 9s | 36s |
| 18 | 5s | 12s | 8s | 36s |
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 Karma
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Respect her level 1
Play carefully at the very start of lane: Mantra (R) is available from level 1, so Karma already has an empowered spell.
- Break her tether
Move away as soon as Focused Resolve (W) tethers you: if the tether holds to the end, you take damage again and get rooted.
- Leave the ring of fire
Quickly leave the ring of fire left by Inner Flame (Q) empowered by Mantra (R): it slows and deals extra damage.
- Focus her in teamfights
If you can reach her, focus her in teamfights: Mantra (R) then Inspire (E) gives a shield and move speed to every ally grouped around her target.
Other Bard matchups
Patch 16.21.1