Soraka vs Bard
Hard matchup
Build vs Bard
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Soraka: Moonstone Renewer, Redemption, Dawncore, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Dream Maker, Celestial Opposition, Mikael's Blessing, Ardent Censer.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
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 Soraka
Tips to maximize your impact
- Star first, heal second
Hit a champion with Starcall (Q) before Astral Infusion (W): Rejuvenation heals you, lowers the heal's health cost and passes to the healed ally.
- Run to your wounded allies
Get to your wounded allies quickly: Salvation (passive) makes you run faster toward them.
- Equinox on a channel
Place Equinox (E) under an enemy who is channeling: the zone silences them, then roots champions still inside at the end.
- Save an ally anywhere
Save Wish (R) to rescue an ally anywhere on the map: the heal is stronger on allies below 40% health.
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 Soraka matchups
Patch 16.21.1