Mel vs Bard

Mel
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 Mel: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff, Stormsurge, Cosmic Drive.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rabadon's Deathcap
5

Summoner spells

FlashBarrier100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Rabadon's Deathcap
Void Staff
Stormsurge
Cosmic Drive
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

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 Mel

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Poke from range with your volley

    Stay back and poke with Radiant Volley (Q): its projectiles explode in an area up to 950 range, and each hit applies Overwhelm.

  2. An auto after each spell

    Land an auto after each spell: Searing Brilliance (passive) adds three projectiles to it per spell cast, and enough Overwhelm executes the target.

  3. Reflect their projectiles

    Save Rebuttal (W) for a dangerous projectile: the barrier sends it back to its caster, and you gain a shield and move speed.

  4. Land your snare dead center

    Hit your target head-on with Solar Snare (E): only the core of the orb roots, the aura around it just slows and damages.

  5. Finish from range with your R

    Cast Golden Eclipse (R) to finish from range: it hits every enemy marked by Overwhelm, wherever they are, harder with each stack.

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