Bard vs Karma

Bard
vs
51.0%

over 4005 games

Karma

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy CCHeavy shieldingHeavy poke

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

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Dead Man's Plate
1
Locket of the Iron Solari
2
Bandlepipes
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Bloodsong
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot54%
FlashHeal38%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Bloodsong
Solstice Sleigh
Celestial Opposition
Mikael's Blessing
Liandry's Torment
Oblivion Orb
Redemption
Knight's Vow
Shurelya's Battlesong
Zeke's Convergence
Dark Seal
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Imperial Mandate
Hextech Rocketbelt
Kaenic Rookern
Force of Nature
Randuin's Omen
Frozen Heart
Morellonomicon
Abyssal Mask
Protoplasm Harness
Serpent's Fang
Bramble Vest
Mejai's Soulstealer
Dream Maker
Heartsteel
Thornmail
55.0% WR120 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Deep WardDeep Ward
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Jack Of All TradesJack Of All Trades
Attack SpeedMove SpeedHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Karma's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Gathering Fire (P)

Karma's damaging abilities will reduce the cooldown of Mantra.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s12s10s–
67s12s10s40s
95s12s10s40s
115s12s10s38s
165s12s9s36s
185s12s8s36s

Playing as Bard

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Patch 16.21.1