How to Play Ixtal Bard
A stage-by-stage plan for Ixtal Bard : opener, when to level and roll for Bard , and where to position the board.
- Tier
- S
- Top 4 rate
- 60.5%
- Avg place
- 3.74
- 1st place
- 10.5%
- Playstyle
- 2-cost reroll
- Games
- 38
How to level and roll with Ixtal Bard
2-cost rerollIxtal Bard is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Neeko, Bard , and Vi reach 3 stars. At level 6, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 2-cost.
| Stage | Level | Action | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | 4 | Level | Level to 4 and play your strongest pairs; slam an early item if it saves HP. |
| 2-5 | 5 | Level | Level to 5 and keep building interest toward 50 gold. |
| 3-2 | 6 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Neeko, Bard , and Vi hit 3 stars. |
| 3-5 | 6 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Neeko, Bard , and Vi hit 3 stars. |
| 4-1 | 7 | Level | Once your 3-stars are done, level up and add the units that complete your traits. |
| 4-5 | 8 | Level | Level to 8 for 4-cost upgrades and a stronger frontline. |
| 5-1 | 8 | Roll down | Roll for the last upgrades and finish the board around Bard . |
Ixtal Bard early game and opener
We don't have enough early-board data for Ixtal Bard yet. Play your strongest pairs early and hold units that share traits with Bard .
Rolling odds for Ixtal Bard
Your 3-star targets are Neeko, Bard , and Vi. Level 6 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Neeko
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Ixtal Bard positioning
A starting board for Ixtal Bard . Drag units to adjust it, switch to the anti-assassin layout when the lobby has divers, and copy the Team Planner code into the TFT client.
- Corner Milio on the back line and put Skarner in front of it.
- Split Milio and Orianna across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both.
- Brock, Nidalee , and Skarner hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry.
- Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Vi and Neeko in the back corners as bait.
Positioning board
Drag a unit onto another hex to move it — dropping on a unit swaps them.
When to play Ixtal Bard
Strengths
- Average place better than 78% of comps of the same board size
- Big power spike once Neeko, Bard , and Vi hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Bard and Orianna ) make itemizing flexible
- Rarely played, so its units are usually free
Weaknesses
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Neeko, Bard , and Vi
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 6 with only the excess until Neeko, Bard , and Vi are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Spear of Shojin, Archangel's Staff, and Rabadon's Deathcap on Bard .
When to pivot
Scout at 2-1 and 3-2: if two or more players hold your core units, or you haven't found any by 3-2, move into one of the comps on the Similar Comps tab instead of forcing Ixtal Bard .
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How to play Ixtal Bard – FAQ (TFT Set 16)
How do you play Ixtal Bard ?
Ixtal Bard is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Neeko, Bard , and Vi reach 3 stars. Corner Milio on the back line and put Skarner in front of it. Build Spear of Shojin, Archangel's Staff, and Rabadon's Deathcap on Bard .
When should I roll down for Ixtal Bard ?
Ixtal Bard doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, rolling only the gold above 50 until Neeko, Bard , and Vi are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Neeko?
Slow roll for Neeko at level 6, where its cost tier shows up most often in the shop. At level 6, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 2-cost.
Is Ixtal Bard a reroll comp?
Yes. Ixtal Bard wants Neeko, Bard , and Vi at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 6 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
How do you position Ixtal Bard ?
Corner Milio on the back line and put Skarner in front of it. Split Milio and Orianna across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both. Brock, Nidalee , and Skarner hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry. Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Vi and Neeko in the back corners as bait.
What is the best opener for Ixtal Bard ?
Ixtal Bard has no fixed opener: play your strongest early pairs, keep HP high and hold units that share traits with Bard .