Bard vs Neeko
Skill matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Neeko's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 16s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 16s | 12s | 2m |
| 9 | 7s | 15s | 12s | 2m |
| 11 | 7s | 14s | 12s | 1m45 |
| 16 | 7s | 12s | 11s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 7s | 12s | 10s | 1m30 |
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 Neeko
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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