I'll defintely play him top lane just for the giggles, but what would you recommend in terms of more optimal play to be played instead of him? Tankiness with good cc I mean. Probably Maokai, maybe malphite? Anything else comes to mind?
Lulu top is pretty fun. Same deal as Bard, buffed auto attacks, damaging Q. Still able to support the team, but if you build her AP she can do some gnarly damage
Gnar is probably as close as you'll get, has range but is centered around skillshot cc while you build tank. That being said fuck Gnar and just play Bard top if you like it and are good with it (if you somehow make him useful past lane phase).
Cho'Gath, Gnar, Hecarim, Gragas, Irelia, Jarvan IV, Jax, Maokai, Malphite, Nasus, Nautilus, Nunu, Olaf, Sejuani, Sion, Shen, Trundle, Udyr, Wukong, Warwick, or Vi. Although a lot of those aren't particularly good at top and and some are very loose matches.
Soraka. Her Q doesn't have as long of a cooldown. She has a really mild heal. She can stun. And she has a great ultimate that can only do good rather than bad. Just a step up... on some pebbles.
