Bard vs Neeko

Bard
vs
54.8%

over 378 games

Neeko

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy CCStrong engage

Build vs Neeko

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, Mikael's Blessing, Celestial Opposition.

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

FlashDot46%
FlashHeal43%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Bloodsong
Solstice Sleigh
Mikael's Blessing
Celestial Opposition
Liandry's Torment
Redemption
Knight's Vow
Oblivion Orb
Shurelya's Battlesong
Dark Seal
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Imperial Mandate
Hextech Rocketbelt
Zeke's Convergence
Force of Nature
Kaenic Rookern
Abyssal Mask
Mejai's Soulstealer
Frozen Heart
Protoplasm Harness
Morellonomicon
Thornmail
Echoes of Helia
Bramble Vest
57.9% WR19 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

Neeko's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Inherent Glamour (P)

Neeko can look like an ally champion or as other units on the map. Receiving immobilizing crowd control, casting damaging spells, damaging enemy towers as a non-champion, or your disguise taking damage equal to its healthbar breaks the disguise.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s16s12s–
68s16s12s2m
97s15s12s2m
117s14s12s1m45
167s12s11s1m30
187s12s10s1m30

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 Neeko

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Don't line up with your minions

    Don't stand lined up behind your minions: Tangle-Barbs (E) passes through them, empowers itself on contact, and roots every enemy in its path.

  2. Leave her area at the first sign

    Leave her area as soon as she prepares Pop Blossom (R): the leap comes after a short preparation, hidden if she's disguised.

  3. Engage after her Pop Blossom

    If you can engage, do it once Pop Blossom (R) is used: it's her only area stun, on a 120 to 90 second cooldown.

  4. Spot her disguises

    Be wary of an enemy acting strangely: with Inherent Glamour (passive), Neeko can look like one of her allies or another unit.

Patch 16.21.1