Can people stop with the "Bard is underpowered" threads. Bard tips.

Besides the point that I think its just three users spamming these over and over, we're talking about a champion on release with a whole new play style and mechanics unknown to league players.

Number one, he's a full support. Riot designed him like this. No, you do not take him in the jungle, no you can't put him mid like Sona or Zilean, or top like Braum or Taric.

He has one "offensive" ability, but I wouldn't even count it for its damage, nor should I. It has the potential to stun two champions for almost 2 seconds at max rank. That's longer than Sona's ult and it has a way shorter cool down. If Morgana's Q didn't hurt as much as it does now it would still be viable, so why do people want cosmic binding to do more damage? That's not the point of Bard's design to begin with.

His low base movement speed is probably there because you'll be putting a lot of movement speed items on him. You can't build him as a full ap mini mage like some supports, but these days there are a lot of items that use and Bard loves that spiritual stuff. For the rest of his build, you'll be building quite tanky.

His ultimate is one of if not THE most powerful set up/disengage abilities in the game. Yes, I've Queued in with Bards, and yes, they downright ruin our own team fights with his ult. But that's not the champion's fault, that's the summoner's fault.

His identity in the game is a fast tank who goes around the map, collecting red bulls and delivering pizzas to your lane buddies. Basically, if you believe in Santa Clause, this is how you'd play him. Watch the champion spotlight and you get a good idea on how to effectively play him. WHEN to roam and when NOT to roam. If anything, I think the little chime mini game is not so much there as a way to get experience, but as a insentive as a support to stop trying to clear minion waves (that's for your carries) and go around the map, destroying wards, placing wards, picking up chimes, delivering pizzas, setting up ganks etc. He's probably the most balanced support ever in that regard.

I played bard for the first time last night. Our entire team was behind but with a few awesome set ups, we were able to win three team fights in a row and push for the win. My predictions about bard are true. He is a very good champion. You just don't play him like other champions.