Bard vs Rakan
Skill matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Rakan's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Rakan periodically gains a shield.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 14s | 0s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 14s | 0s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 7s | 13s | 0s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 7s | 12s | 0s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 7s | 10s | 0s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 7s | 10s | 0s | 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 Rakan
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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