Elise vs Bard
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Bard
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Elise: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Stormsurge, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff, Banshee's Veil.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Bard's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 0s | 22s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 0s | 22s | 1m50 |
| 9 | 7s | 0s | 22s | 1m50 |
| 11 | 7s | 0s | 22s | 1m35 |
| 16 | 7s | 0s | 19s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 7s | 0s | 16s | 1m20 |
Playing as Elise
Tips to maximize your impact
- Start human, finish spider
Start in human form with Cocoon (E) then Neurotoxin (Q), strong on a high-health target. Finish in spider form with Venomous Bite (Q), strong on a low-health target.
- Drop on your target to finish
In spider form, save Rappel (E) to finish or to escape: landing on your target empowers Spider Queen (passive), and Rappel's long cooldown leaves you vulnerable afterward.
- Speed up your spiders
In spider form, cast Skittering Frenzy (W) once you're on your target: you and your spiderlings gain attack speed, and they attack the target you bite.
- Gank early and often
Gank early and often: Cocoon (E) stuns the first enemy hit from range, and Elise is strongest before everyone has their items.
Playing against Bard
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- No wall or ally behind you
Facing him, don't stand with your back to a wall or lined up with an ally or minion: Cosmic Binding (Q) stuns you if it then hits a wall or a second enemy.
- Wait for the stasis to end
Don't waste your spells on a target frozen by Tempered Fate (R): wait for the stasis to end, then strike.
- Ward the walls when he disappears
Ward the walls near you when he disappears: Magical Journey (E) opens a one-way path for him through terrain.
- Play hard when he leaves
When he leaves lane to collect his Traveler's Call (passive) Chimes, play hard on the ally he left alone.
Other Elise matchups
Patch 16.21.1