Bard vs Nautilus
Skill matchup
Build vs Nautilus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Bard: Dead Man's Plate, Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Boots of Swiftness, Bloodsong, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh, Mikael's Blessing.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Nautilus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Nautilus' first Attack against a target deals increased physical damage and roots them briefly.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 12s | 7s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 12s | 7s | 2m |
| 9 | 10s | 12s | 7s | 2m |
| 11 | 10s | 12s | 7s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 10s | 12s | 6s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 10s | 12s | 5s | 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 Nautilus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Once he hits level 2, stay behind your minions: the Dredge Line (Q) anchor hooks the first enemy hit, then the Staggering Blow (passive) auto keeps you in place.
- Hold still against Riptide
When he casts Riptide (E) near you, stay put until it ends: its three explosions spread out around him, and running too early makes you take the next ones and their slow.
- Back off after his anchor
When Dredge Line (Q) misses you, keep your distance: it's his only spell to reach you, on a 14 to 10 second cooldown.
- Get out of his shockwave's path
When he aims Depth Charge (R) at an ally, don't stand between them: the shockwave chases its target, and every enemy in its path takes a knock-up.
Other Bard matchups
Patch 16.21.1