The Current State of Bard

After the most recent patch Bard has been placed in a very awkward state. Majority of Bard players would rush Redemption>Locket after they finished their support item and boots. Both items have been changed to fit the type of build that certain supports aim for. Redemption is now made for casters/healers such as Janna, Lulu, Sona, Karma, etc. While Locket has been made for tanks such as Thresh, Blitz, Braum, Leona, etc. Bard doesn't really fit either of these categories as he's such a unique champion. Even though people are still saying its the core build, I can't pull myself to get them together anymore. Getting both is basically running the same build as previous patches, the items are just weaker. So you're essentially just accepting a straight up nerf by building them. Yes redemption still works into locket due to the fact that you get some health from it, but I don't know how more people aren't noticing the redemption base health nerf. Redemption lost 100 base health on the item and people are only talking about how the heal was changed. Building it now makes me feel so squishy mid game I don't see how people can enjoy getting it. Since I want to be able to survive a decent exchange I have been opting for Locket as the 3rd item slot now. However, getting it so early means you lose out on CDR which I believe is the strongest stat on Bard. I am completely at a loss of what to build as mid game approaches that every game my build seems to switch and I don't feel that I am maximizing my potential on the champ.

Going into more items and why they aren't as good as you may think:

Knight's Vow - Has very good stats on it, but the passive is only half as powerful if you're a ranged champion.

Dead Man's Plate - More of a selfish item on Bard. The passive slow isn't applied from ranged champions, so a fully charged DMP won't actually slow with Bard. Not as important as you have meeps to slow, but then that means you're buying this item for its base stats and at that point Randuins is a much better choice.

Iceborn Gauntlet - This item is simply overkill on Bard. You already have slows on Bard, the CDR will more than likely overcap you, mana really isn't that necessary on Bard as he has chimes, and FH is a much better item for AD enemies.

Liandry's Torment - I am against AP items on Bard, will explain below.

Ardent Censer - Your W doesn't have a low enough CD for this to be viable. Plus, this item makes you undeniably squishy. Stay away.

Frozen Heart - Usually is your 3rd or 4th item and leaves you wanting more health.

Zeke's - Sucks ass... You will never be in the middle of a fight to make the new passive useful.

Righteous Glory - Only time Bard might use its active is after you ult to catch up to the enemy. However, unless you're on comms your team probably won't engage very well with it.

My biggest pet peeve is when people build straight AP items on Bard. Just please stop it for the sake of your team. When you choose Bard your teammates don't think about your damage. Majority of the time they will play around your stuns and ult. This is why I think CDR is the most important stat as your team wants as many stuns as you can possibly crank out. Building AP may feel good for YOU, but majority of the time its not the best option for your team.

TLDR Since the Redemption and Locket changes, Bard really doesn't have a core item anymore after his support item and boots. He's been left in a group between Casters/Healers and Tank supports. Most of the items gravitate toward building one way or the other and it leaves him with items that don't synergize very well with his kit. Please comment and give me your thoughts on this! Let me get your input on some of the items above as well :D ootay