Fiddlesticks vs Bard
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
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 Fiddlesticks
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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%.
- 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
- 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 Fiddlesticks matchups
Patch 16.21.1