Fiddlesticks vs Bard

Fiddlesticks
vs
Not enough games
Bard
Heavy AP damageHeavy CCStrong engage

Build vs Bard

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Fiddlesticks: Malignance, Liandry's Torment, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff, Banshee's Veil.

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling

Core build

Malignance
1
Liandry's Torment
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Shadowflame
5

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Shadowflame
Rabadon's Deathcap
Void Staff
Banshee's Veil
Stormsurge

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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 as Fiddlesticks

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Strike from out of their vision

    Channel Crowstorm (R) out of their vision, from a brush or behind a wall: if you're unseen when your spells hit, Terrify (Q) fears them too.

  2. Aim the center of your scythe

    Aim the center of Reap (E) at the key target: in the center, they're silenced; at the edges, only slowed.

  3. Finish your harvest

    Channel Bountiful Harvest (W) to the end on camps and minion groups: you heal for part of the damage, and the remaining cooldown drops by 60%.

  4. Place your effigies

    Place the effigies from A Harmless Scarecrow (passive) in key brushes: they replace your trinket, and Terrify (Q) can fear when you're mimicking one.

Playing against Bard

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Patch 16.21.1