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Xerath vs Bard

Xerath
vs
Not enough games
Bard
Analyze a draft with Xerath
Heavy AP damageHeavy CCStrong engage

Build vs Bard

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Xerath: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Void Staff
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stormsurge
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Sixth SenseSixth Sense
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
SorcerySorcery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Adaptive ForceAdaptive 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 Xerath

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Charge Arcanopulse to poke from range

    Charge Arcanopulse (Q) to poke from long range: its range grows with the charge, but you slow down by up to 50% in the meantime.

  2. Slow before your Arcanopulse

    Slow your target with Eye of Destruction (W) before Arcanopulse (Q): the center of the zone slows the most, and a slowed target dodges poorly.

  3. Stun, then center your Eye

    Land Shocking Orb (E), then center Eye of Destruction (W) on the target: stunned, they can't dodge it, and the center slows the most.

  4. Finish from long range with your ult

    Cast Rite of the Arcane (R) to finish a fleeing target or support a distant fight: your shots reach 5000 range, with bonus damage per champion hit.

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.

Other Xerath matchups

Patch 16.21.1