Bard Update
As it currently stands, Bard is an OK support. His only problem is that he is SEVERELY underpowered. I have some changes that I've thought of to make him more viable. He wasn't released too long ago, but is already seeing less play than Zac used to.
1.) His heal is undeniably weak, especially at early ranks: as it is, it heals for 30/60/90/120/150 (+20% Ability Power) when used immediately, and 70/110/150/190/230 (+45% Ability Power) when allowed to charge to its full potential.
OK, let's say we have a Bard that has 40 AP and the first rank of his heal: that is a maximum restoration of 88 health... This restores just under one-fifth of Anivia's base health at level 1. That might sound like a lot, but keep in mind that Anivia has the LOWEST base health at level 1. The highest at level 1 is Gangplank, and one of Bard's shrines can restore just under one-SEVENTH of his base maximum health. ALSO keep in mind that many champions are viable with HP-increasing runes and masteries, thus making Bard's shrines seem like an even SMALLER heal.
At the moment, your ADC has to run over all 3 shrines to get a decent heal. And based on where it's safe to place the shrines, that can put your ADC out of combat for a few seconds at minimum.
Taking that into account, let's also look at the mana cost to make a shrine: 100 AT RANK 1.That's an ult-tier mana cost for a small heal that can be destroyed by enemies. Even Soraka isn't that bad (sure she's kinda the premier healer but that's beside the point)_. With her Q and W each at rank 1, she can heal an ally for 120 + 60% of her AP, then hit an enemy champion (and probably some minions) to damage them and then heal herself for some of the health she lost, ALL FOR ONLY 90 MANA. What's your excuse, Riot?
I propose Bard's heal be increased to 50/80/110/150/180 (+30% Ability Power) when used immediately, and 90/130/170/210/250 (+50% Ability Power) at max charge.
2.) His portal just seems a little pointless at early ranks. As in the extra speed through the portal for allies is so weak it may as well not even be there.
Another question comes up as to why champions traveling through the portal (whether friend or foe) can be affected by CC while actually in the portal: they can be knocked up, knocked back, slowed, I believe Bard can stop their motion altogether with his ult, etc... It just doesn't make sense.
For this, I propose there be a standard accelerating speed bonus of 20-50% over 1.25 seconds at all ranks. I also propose a removal of CC still affecting any and all Journey-ing champions.
3.) His ult... Sure it can be made useful, although in relatively few ways... But it just doesn't seem to have much point in being there.
This is a change I've had on my mind for a while now: as well as removing all slows from any affected units, allied units that Bard hits with his ult exit stasis 50% faster (in other words, after only 1.25 seconds). I don't know if it already does, but Bard's ult now causes units that have been knocked up to remain in the air while in stasis, as well as simply pausing the knock-up duration.
