Boards›[ARCHIVED] Miscellaneous

Any tips for playing Bard?

MarcReady·4/3/2016, 1:28:11 PM·2 votes·1,017 views

[ greeting trumpet music ]

Recently i've fallen in love with Bard, a champion whom i would have never thought of picking 2 days ago. I tried him since he was in rotation and, despite the poor perfomance, i liked him. I'm addicted to chimes and I find meep-mechanic really funny, but i think that by taking care of my chimes i neglect my botlane companion. This is what happens: if we manage to stomp our enemies in early, i can collect chimes very easily with no risk at all and snowball in a bursty support, but if we are behind my adc gets crushed as soon as i leave. I tried to stay in lane, but i feel useless against very aggressive lanes like lucian/thresh.

About his kit: Q is really satisfying to land, W is quite useful if i build some AP or if i leave it to "grow" otherwise is just a little movement speed boost. What i don't understand at all is the utility of his E (magical journey): I really use it as a "roamer tool" or asa very situational escape. I'd like some suggestions or tips from a Bard player, who could help me understand his mechanics better. Can you help me?

[ grateful didgeridoo sound ]

17 Comments

Big Lincoln4/3/2016, 1:45:47 PM3 votes

Positioning is key. You need to get comfortable with Bard to the point he feels completely natural, and then focus entirely on what other people are doing, where they're standing, etc. Know when to Q for stuns, abuse it to zone people in lane and kite them in teamfights.

R is very situational and it's too flexible for me to tell you the 'right' way to use it. It's always a snap decision; just be sure that you can make something out of using it, unless you ult on Baron/Dragon to reset and you know they can't keep fighting it.

Don't listen to that guy who said to take W at level 1. It's awful, start Q or you lose most of your lane bully and trading power.

hailikecookie4/3/2016, 1:58:07 PM2 votes

Bard is the roaming support, and a big part of him is roaming to collect his chimes. Generally I feel as though I can't trust my ADC not to go full potato as soon as I leave lane, so I usually collect chimes on my way to/out of lane as well as the super close ones. If you manage to get your adc a little ahead/ are vs a lane where your adc can play safely, feel free to roam and help mid/ ward enemy jungle all while collecting your precious chimes.

In terms of building bard, I tend to go towards how I build sona.

If ahead: item 3092 item 2045 item 3117 item 3285 item 3100 Then pick one ( item 3110 / item 3143 / item 3222 / item 3190 item 3050 )

If behind/ your team needs it, I would suggest the first three items, then zekes, mikaels and either a locket or armour item depending on enemy team comp.

For runes I generally run a standard AP page, with the exception of having move speed quints (gotta do it for the roams). Masteries are also pretty standard, thunderlords is a must for the meep proc, then up to you if you want ferocity (more damage) or resolve (more survivability)

His E is great for roams, you can quickly magical journey to get to a chime if its on the other side of a wall. Also great for escapes and baits, as many enemies are super willing to follow you through and you can just Q them, place a shrine for the MS boost and run away laughing. Here is an interesting read on how to play as him.

Once you feel you are getting the hang of him more, you should try out top bard ;) Its super fun.

Good luck ♥

The Bearded Bard4/3/2016, 3:59:22 PM1 votes

The biggest part of Bard is knowing your ult timing. You need to be able to hit what you want to hit, and avoid the things you don't. On top of that, you need to have a Q ready and thrown instantly as it wears off, giving them no time to react.

MarcReady4/3/2016, 7:23:46 PM1 votes

I tried to play him in ranked and won :) my adc could do little, we didn't win the lane, but in late game i did my job ^^ thanks for the help

Apostle of Light4/3/2016, 10:14:29 PM1 votes

If you're behind in lane, always max heal. Maxing Q first is only appropriate when you can be aggressive. I also suggest building primarily tank items once you finish your Frost Queens or whatever. You'll find that tank Bard is much more useful than full AP Bard.

Azure Hamster4/3/2016, 1:41:22 PM1 votes

Drop a flower at the top turret at the start, then mid on the way to bot. Helps those two lanes just that little bit.

Caitlyn

hOrnn4/3/2016, 10:16:02 PM1 votes

I find bard a very strong lane bully if u can land q a lot, its a very good skill.

if you are vs raka,nami,sona I recommend maxing w seconds and always keeping coco up 'snowday op'

E has a low cooldown lategame anyways, once u get warding item I rush right into frozen heart because hes very squishy, I also recommend tank runes.

I prefer the ancient coin on him myself.

MarcReady4/3/2016, 1:51:59 PM1 votes

Thanks guys. Regarding the ult: i use it mostrly to zone 2 or more enemies from a fight, so my team can outnumber the others and take them down easily