01 / Bard
At a glance
Learn Bard abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.
02
Strengths & weaknesses
Tools to play around
- Cosmic BindingAdds a utility effect to the champion’s kit.
What can go wrong
- Cosmic BindingRead the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
- A completed combo is only useful when your position, resources and follow-up are safe.
03
Abilities & tips
Open an ability to read its effect and a practical use tip.
PTraveler's Call
Meeps: Bard attracts lesser spirits that assist with his basic attacks to deal extra magic damage. When Bard has collected enough Chimes, his meeps will also deal damage in an area and slow enemies hit. Chimes: Ancient chimes randomly appear for Bard to collect. These grant experience, restore mana, and provide out of combat Move Speed.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
QCosmic Binding
Bard fires a missile which will slow the first enemy struck, and continue onward. If it strikes a wall, it will stun the initial target; if it strikes another enemy, it will stun them both.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
WCaretaker's Shrine
Reveals a Health shrine which powers up over a short time, disappearing after healing and speeding up the first ally that touches it.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
EMagical Journey
Bard opens a portal in nearby terrain. Allies and enemies alike can take a one-way trip through that terrain by moving into the portal.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
RTempered Fate
Bard sends spirit energy arcing to a location, putting all champions, minions, monsters, and turrets hit into stasis for a brief time.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
Bard combos: execution and timing
AA = basic attack · EAA = empowered attack · 1/2/3 = cast stage. Follow the order, not instant key presses.
Follow up with Magical Journey
- E
- Q
With Bard, start with Magical Journey, then continue through Cosmic Binding. Watch Cosmic Binding connect before committing the remaining spells. Practise the follow-up against a moving target, not only a stationary dummy.
Spell and attack trade: Cosmic Binding
- AA
- Q
- AA
With Bard, start with Basic attack, then continue through Cosmic Binding → Basic attack. Watch Cosmic Binding connect before committing the remaining spells. Practise the follow-up against a moving target, not only a stationary dummy.
05
Game plan by role
Bard · Support
Stand where you can help your lane partner without exposing both of you. Coordinate the opening before spending your main control or protection.
Set up vision with nearby allies rather than walking into unlit areas alone. Roam when your lane partner can safely handle the next wave.
Choose between creating an opening and protecting the teammate who can carry the fight. Do not spend every defensive spell on the first visible enemy.
Before your next fight, check: Cosmic Binding · Tempered Fate · Combos
06
Matchup preparation
Compare opponents in the build for the role you are actually playing. Then check their key control, escape and defensive spells before choosing your trade.
07
Practice checklist
- Cast each ability alone and identify its range, target conditions and stopping point.
- Practise the first sequence slowly. Repeat it while moving, without skipping the conditions shown on its card.
- After each attempt, identify the spell you would still have available to defend or retreat.
08
Bard · Builds & runes
Choose a role, then select your rank on the build page for runes, items, skill order and matchup statistics.