Neeko vs Bard

Neeko
vs
53.2%

over 1007 games

Bard

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy CCStrong engage

Build vs Bard

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Neeko: Hextech Rocketbelt, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Celestial Opposition, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Oblivion Orb, Imperial Mandate.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Hextech Rocketbelt
1
Zhonya's Hourglass
2
Stormsurge
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Celestial Opposition
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal57%
FlashDot37%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Celestial Opposition
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Oblivion Orb
Imperial Mandate
Frozen Heart
Solstice Sleigh
Seeker's Armguard
Shadowflame
Dark Seal
Luden's Echo
Morellonomicon
Malignance
Locket of the Iron Solari
Rabadon's Deathcap
Abyssal Mask
Knight's Vow
Shurelya's Battlesong
Mikael's Blessing
Zeke's Convergence
Banshee's Veil
Dead Man's Plate
Mejai's Soulstealer
Bandlepipes
Bloodsong
Cryptbloom
Kaenic Rookern
Bloodletter's Curse
Void Staff
48.3% WR29 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
DominationDomination
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Adaptive ForceAdaptive 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 Neeko

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Empower your tangle on a minion

    Cast Tangle-Barbs (E) through a minion before your target: once empowered, it grows larger, moves faster and roots for longer.

  2. Seed after the root

    After the Tangle-Barbs (E) root, cast Blooming Burst (Q) on your target: on a champion, the seed blooms up to two more times.

  3. Approach disguised, then leap

    Approach disguised with Inherent Glamour (passive), then cast Pop Blossom (R) in the middle of them: in disguise, the leap's preparation stays hidden.

  4. Fake them out with your clone

    Cast Shapesplitter (W) to escape or to fake them out: you turn invisible for a moment and your clone goes its own way, mirroring your spells.

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