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Bard is garbage.

Namnoms·3/19/2015, 9:59:59 PM·7 votes·2,278 views

So after a while of him being out there, I am thoroughly convinced that bard is currently the worst support in the game. He can be semi-viable as a jungler, but there's always someone who can fill that role better than he can. The biggest issue is that bard is made to roam. ADC's and supports have to stick together (a point which has been made many times in LCS)the whole point OF a support is to keep the ADC alive and kicking. When an ADC is alone during the lane phase they are basically free food, and when bard roams the ADC is going to suffer heavily farmwise since they need to stay under turret, or just straight up die. Bard also sucks completely at laning, his MS boost from insta heal is sad early, the heal itself costs a ton of mana, his only poke is very low damage and range, and he's extremely squishy. So what are you supposed to do? Any decent poke support can outdamage him and the heals, any All-in type support can just run the lane knowing bard can't do much to stop them. His ult is supposed to be the thing that makes him unique and useful, but it's also pretty below average. Very easily screwed up, does no damage... Sure it can save a teammate or stop an enemy, but then again just about any standard support can do that already with the added benefit of some damage. The only thing bard can do that other supports can't is stasis baron or dragon for a better chance to steal and make portals through walls. If you want something to help you move through walls and stasis objectives (provided you can actually contest), choose bard. If you want a support that can lane, brings a lot of benefits to a teamfight, heal/shield, or have some ability to function alone. Bring any other support. Anyone.

7 Comments

Peridition3/19/2015, 10:36:49 PM2 votes

He's far from garbage. His abilities are very powerful. His E is one of the most powerful ganking setups in the game. And his ultimate can turn team fights if you use it properly.

Bard just isn't really as Solo Q friendly as other supports. You have to remember that he's also brand new. Players are adjusting to his kit, just like they did with Thresh's.

Mat7itan3/19/2015, 11:28:44 PM2 votes

{quoted} The biggest issue is that bard is made to roam. ADC's and supports have to stick together (a point which has been made many times in LCS)the whole point OF a support is to keep the ADC alive and kicking.

The support is not a babysitter. They are obligated, but not required to stick with the adc. You say that the LCS shows that the adc and the support need to stick together, but it is very common to see a support in the lcs to roam mid or top, and help the rest of their team leaving the adc alone in lane. As well bard has been out for what a week? Everytime a new champ comes out people complain that they aren't good, but typically when people start complaining the champ hasn't been out long enough for people to understand how they are to be played.

Photos of Ghosts3/19/2015, 10:04:16 PM1 votes

Just split them up completely. Put the ADC in the toplane if you feel too vulnerable to poke, and the bruiser bot. Bard is NOT the ADC's support. He's everybody's roaming, ganking support.

single eboy3/19/2015, 10:04:19 PM1 votes

I haven't played him myself nor have I really paid attention to the bot-lane while playing mid/top (unless roaming) so I can't really tell how he is in the laning phase. I do like his teleport and ultimate though.

Sirsir3/19/2015, 10:38:41 PM1 votes

He has a lot of weird points. He is one of the most passive laning supports in the game. Most bards just hang out, occasionally try to proc spellthiefs while their meeps are up, and keep the lane stocked with health packs. They never go for stuns except reactively (because of its short range) and it has a low base damage so theres no point in using it without a stun.

One of Bards best points is the W start. Start W, run around the jungle placing them in good spots for your jungler to pick up. Most of the junglers can easily manage a full first clear, and the xp boost from the early 3 chimes gets you to ding a level early anyway so you don't suffer from a weak level 1.

And most Bards I see never use their Es to make plays. ITS HIS MAIN SPELL! His ult is nice and all, but its so easy to screw up in some of the worst ways...