Bard vs Rakan

Bard
vs
46.8%

over 854 games

Rakan

Skill matchup

Strong engageHeavy AP damageHeavy CCVery tanky

Build vs Rakan

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

FlashDot52%
FlashHeal40%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Bloodsong
Solstice Sleigh
Celestial Opposition
Mikael's Blessing
Liandry's Torment
Oblivion Orb
Knight's Vow
Redemption
Dark Seal
Shurelya's Battlesong
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Imperial Mandate
Zeke's Convergence
Hextech Rocketbelt
Kaenic Rookern
Abyssal Mask
Randuin's Omen
Frozen Heart
Force of Nature
Morellonomicon
Bramble Vest
Protoplasm Harness
Mejai's Soulstealer
Heartsteel
Zhonya's Hourglass
Lich Bane
Cosmic Drive
41.7% WR36 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

Rakan's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Fey Feathers (P)

Rakan periodically gains a shield.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
311s14s0s–
69s14s0s2m10
97s13s0s2m10
117s12s0s1m50
167s10s0s1m30
187s10s0s1m30

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 Rakan

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay behind your minions

    Stay behind your minions: Gleaming Quill (Q) strikes the first enemy in its path, and if it hits a champion, Rakan heals his team.

  2. Keep your distance

    Keep your distance when his ADC steps up: Grand Entrance (W) lets him leap onto you, and enemies around his landing spot take a knock-up.

  3. Save your CC for his arrival

    If you have CC, save it for when he lands in the middle of your team: only Battle Dance (E) then lets him leave toward an ally.

  4. Spread out from your allies

    Spread out from your allies when he casts The Quickness (R): he charms every enemy he touches while running.

Patch 16.21.1