Karma vs Bard

Karma
vs
49.0%

over 4006 games

Bard

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy CCStrong engage

Build vs Bard

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Karma: Echoes of Helia, Moonstone Renewer, Redemption, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Dream Maker, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Mikael's Blessing, Shurelya's Battlesong.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Echoes of Helia
1
Moonstone Renewer
2
Redemption
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Dream Maker
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal84%
ExhaustFlash11%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dream Maker
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Mikael's Blessing
Shurelya's Battlesong
Malignance
Oblivion Orb
Ardent Censer
Celestial Opposition
Dawncore
Solstice Sleigh
Staff of Flowing Water
Dark Seal
Morellonomicon
Locket of the Iron Solari
Imperial Mandate
Knight's Vow
Luden's Echo
Diadem of Songs
Mejai's Soulstealer
Tear of the Goddess
Shadowflame
Stormsurge
Zhonya's Hourglass
Liandry's Torment
Horizon Focus
Seeker's Armguard
Bandlepipes
55.3% WR235 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
RevitalizeRevitalize
Font of LifeFont of Life
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth

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 Karma

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Deal damage to refresh Mantra

    Hit the enemy with your spells: Gathering Fire (passive) lowers the cooldown of Mantra (R) with each damaging ability.

  2. Mantra then Q to poke

    To poke, cast Mantra (R) then Inner Flame (Q) at a group: the explosion leaves a ring of fire that slows and deals more damage.

  3. Mantra then W at low health

    At low health, cast Mantra (R) then Focused Resolve (W): you restore part of your missing health at the start and end of the tether, and the root lasts longer.

  4. Mantra then E for the whole team

    In teamfights, cast Mantra (R) then Inspire (E) on an ally surrounded by the others: everyone gets a shield and move speed, to engage or to escape.

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