League of Legends: Bard Guide

Bard is one of the most unique and exciting champions in League of Legends. As a support, he offers unmatched roaming potential, game-changing abilities, and versatile tools to help his team dominate. With his Cosmic Binding (Q) for crowd control, Caretaker’s Shrine (W) for healing, and Tempered Fate (R) for clutch plays, Bard can make a huge impact in every game.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to play Bard like a pro. From mastering the laning phase and roaming effectively to using the best runes and builds, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get the most out of this champion. Let’s jump in and start your journey to mastering Bard!

Bard Overview

Bard is a highly versatile support champion in League of Legends, known for his ability to control the map, enable team plays, and heal allies. His unique playstyle revolves around his passive Traveler’s Call, which creates chimes that enhance his abilities and increase his roaming potential. Below is a breakdown of Bard’s abilities and what they do:

Passive – Traveler’s Call

Bard collects chimes scattered across the map, granting him experience, mana restoration, and bonus movement speed. As he gathers more chimes, his Meeps (spirits that follow him) gain increased power, dealing bonus magic damage and slowing enemies with his basic attacks.

Q – Cosmic Binding

Bard fires a burst of energy that damages and slows the first enemy hit. If the energy hits a second target, such as a wall or another enemy, both targets are stunned. This ability is great for crowd control and securing kills during fights.

W – Caretaker’s Shrine

Bard places a health pack that heals and provides a movement speed boost to allies. The longer the shrine remains active, the more it heals. Caretaker’s Shrine is essential for keeping your ADC and teammates healthy during the laning phase.

E – Magical Journey

Bard creates a portal on a wall that allows allies and enemies to travel through it. This ability offers incredible mobility, enabling Bard to roam effectively or escape from dangerous situations.

R – Tempered Fate

Bard casts a magical stasis field that places all units, including champions, turrets, and minions, in stasis for a short duration. This ultimate is a game-changing tool for engaging, disengaging, or saving allies.

Bard’s unique kit makes him a highly impactful support with excellent utility. By mastering his abilities, you can turn the tide of any game and create opportunities for your team to succeed.

How to Play Bard in League of legends

Bard is a unique champion in League of Legends, known for his roaming playstyle, powerful crowd control, and game-changing utility. Mastering Bard requires understanding his strengths in the laning phase, capitalizing on roam opportunities, and leveraging his abilities in team fights. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to play Bard effectively.

Laning Phase

During the laning phase, Bard excels at harassing enemies, supporting his ADC with healing, and preparing for roams. Use Q – Cosmic Binding to poke enemies and apply crowd control. Aim to hit both an enemy and a wall or minion for a stun. Place W – Caretaker’s Shrine strategically behind your ADC to provide healing and movement speed, letting it charge for maximum effect. Be mindful when collecting chimes during the laning phase, ensuring your ADC is safe before briefly leaving the lane. Auto-attacks empowered by Meeps add extra damage, making Bard’s harass even more potent.

Roaming

Bard’s unique playstyle thrives on roaming and map impact. Look for opportunities to leave the lane when your ADC is safe or when the wave is pushed. Use E – Magical Journey to traverse walls and surprise enemies in other lanes. Set up deep wards in the enemy jungle to gather information and help your team secure objectives or spot enemy rotations. Coordinate with your mid-laner or jungler to create advantageous scenarios, such as 2v1 or 3v2 skirmishes.

Team Fights

In team fights, Bard’s crowd control and utility shine. Use R – Tempered Fate to initiate fights, catch enemies out of position, or protect your allies. Carefully target priority enemies or zones to maximize its impact. Follow up with Q – Cosmic Binding to immobilize opponents. Stay near your carries during fights, providing healing with W – Caretaker’s Shrine and using your E – Magical Journey to create escape routes or reposition your team.

Combos

Mastering Bard’s combos is crucial for optimizing his impact:
• Magical Journey and Cosmic Binding: Use E to surprise enemies, then follow up with a well-aimed Q for a stun.
• Tempered Fate and Cosmic Binding: Cast R on a group of enemies, then position yourself to hit a guaranteed Q when they exit stasis.
• Auto-Attack and Cosmic Binding: Utilize Meeps for enhanced damage and apply a Q to further disrupt enemies.

Best Runes for Bard

• Primary Tree – Resolve:
• Guardian: Provides shielding for you and your ADC during trades.
• Font of Life: Allies attacking marked enemies heal, adding utility.
• Bone Plating: Reduces incoming damage during trades.
• Revitalize: Enhances your healing and shielding abilities.
• Secondary Tree – Inspiration:
• Biscuit Delivery: Offers additional sustain in the early game.
• Cosmic Insight: Reduces cooldowns for items and summoner spells.

Best Build for Bard

Starting Items: Opt for Spellthief’s Edge, Health Potions, and a Stealth Ward for early sustain and utility.

Core Items: Build Shurelya’s Battlesong for increased mobility and engage potential. Dead Man’s Plate provides durability and roaming speed.

Situational Items:
• Redemption offers healing for team fights.
• Mikael’s Blessing can cleanse crowd control from your allies.
• Locket of the Iron Solari provides shielding for your team during crucial moments.

Boots: Mobility Boots are ideal for faster roams and better map control.

Playstyle Tips

To maximize Bard’s potential, focus on map awareness and vision control. Use R – Tempered Fate strategically to turn fights, deny objectives, or protect your team. When roaming, always communicate your movements to your ADC and team. Bard’s E – Magical Journey can create game-changing plays or escape routes, so place it wisely to outplay opponents or reposition your allies.

By understanding Bard’s strengths and using his abilities effectively, you can control the pace of the game, impact every lane, and lead your team to victory.

Conclusion

Bard is a unique and versatile champion in League of Legends, offering unparalleled utility and roaming potential. By mastering his abilities, strategically gathering chimes, and optimizing his builds and runes, you can elevate your gameplay and make a significant impact on every match. Whether you’re setting up game-changing plays with Tempered Fate or roaming the map to support your team, Bard is a champion that rewards creativity and teamwork.