Matchup

Heavy CCStrong engage

Build vs Bard

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Trinity Force
1DPS
Ravenous Hydra
2DPS
Sterak's Gage
3Survival

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Death's Dance
5vs AD

Summoner spells

41450%
121425%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Death's Dance
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

DPS

Spear of Shojin
Bruiser
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
Shield BashShield Bash
Second WindSecond Wind
OvergrowthOvergrowth
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
CamilleCamille
BardBard
Careful
Careful
Aggressive

Bard's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Traveler's Call (P)

Meeps: Bard attracts lesser spirits that assist with his basic attacks to deal extra magic damage. When Bard has collected enough Chimes, his meeps will also deal damage in an area and slow enemies hit.Chimes: Ancient chimes randomly appear for Bard to collect. These grant experience, restore mana, and provide out of combat Move Speed.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
311s0s22s
69s0s22s1m50
97s0s22s1m50
117s0s22s1m35
167s0s19s1m20
187s0s16s1m20

Playing against Bard

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Avoid positioning against walls: Bard's Q stuns if it knocks you into a wall or another target.

2

Watch out for his tunnels: he can engage by surprise through walls. Ward possible entry points.

3

His R can save OR trap his own allies — a bad Bard ult can be exploited by waiting out the stasis.

4

Punish him when he leaves to collect chimes: he leaves his ADC alone and vulnerable.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026