How to Play Bard Top: Tips & Power Spikes (26.20)

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Bard Power Spikes (Patch 26.20)

Top

When Bard Top gets stronger, in the order it happens in a typical ranked game: ability unlocks from the most common skill order, item spikes at the median minute players finish them, and the game length Bard wins most.

Lv 3
All three basic abilities at level 3
Bard's full combo is online — the first point where trading all-in is realistic.
Lv 6
Ultimate rank 1 at level 6
The biggest early spike: look for a kill or a roam as soon as Bard hits it.
Lv 11
Ultimate rank 2 at level 11
Lower ultimate cooldown means more fights Bard can start or win.
Lv 16
Ultimate rank 3 at level 16
Lower ultimate cooldown means more fights Bard can start or win.

Item timings are medians: half of players finish later. Fall behind in farm and every item spike moves back with it.

Bard Mid and Late Game

What Bard does better or worse than other champions after laning, from this patch's ranked games — percentiles where 100 is the highest of every champion.

Play to these strengths

Bard out-wards most champions (percentile 99): keep owning vision around the next objective.
Bard brings crowd control (percentile 94): start the fight or follow up on a teammate's engage.

Mistakes to avoid

Bard falls behind in CS (9/100): last-hit the waves you can, items still matter.
Bard is not a damage carry (12/100): don't take fights expecting Bard to win them alone.

Playing Bard

It's important to collect chimes to improve your meep's attacks, but don't neglect your lane partner! Try to make a big entrance by bringing an ally into the lane with you with Magical Journey.
Let your Caretaker's Shrines charge up - they heal for a lot more when at full power.
Don't forget that enemies can also use your Magical Journey doorways, and that your ultimate can also hit your allies!

Playing Against Bard

Bard's opponents can also travel through his Magical Journey doorways. You can follow him, if you think it's safe.
You can crush Bard's healing shrines just by walking over them. Don't let his allies take them without a fight.
Bard's ultimate, Tempered Fate, affects allies, enemies, monsters, and turrets alike. Sometimes it can be to your advantage to jump into it!

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How to Play Bard FAQ - Patch 26.20

When does Bard power spike?

Bard's spikes in a typical ranked game: All three basic abilities at level 3; Ultimate rank 1 at level 6; Ultimate rank 2 at level 11; Ultimate rank 3 at level 16.

How do you play Bard Top?

From this patch's ranked data, Bard wins by playing to these strengths: control vision; start fights with crowd control.

Bard How to Play: Tips & Power Spikes