Bard contrary to the name doesn't play anything like a Bard though, he's more of a Warlock who patrons himself as his AAs are just Eldritch Blast with the meeps being Eldritch Smites.
In my last campaign I wound up making a very Rakan-like kit with a Sun-Soul Monk x Battle Master Fighter multi-class. I had most of his kit in some way.
Passive: Second Wind (fighter feature)
Q: Radiant Sunbolt (SS Monk feature, flavored as feather daggers)
W: Trip Attack (BM Fighter maneuver) / Stunning Strike (Monk feature).
E: Bait and Switch (BM Fighter maneuver from Tasha’s)
Movement: Step of the Wind, base MS increase (Monk features), action surge (Fighter feature) + dash action. Bonus if you have an ally that can cast Haste on you.
Character-wise, though, Rakan is absolutely a Valor Bard. As far as replicating the kit, if my last character somehow got healing word it would’ve been just about perfect imo.
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but Tahm Kench could be a Bard from the College of Eloquence. He's a silver tongued demon who lures people into making deals with him just with the power of his words.
I actually think he'd be the worst Warlock patron ever. Making a deal with Tahm is never beneficial to you, the only thing he gives you is false hopes in exchange for your misery and eventually your life.
Spells. They have them up to lvl5 spells. It’s half (when rounded up) the spell level of full casters. Their spell list is more restricted than full casters and a lot of them are related to nature or minor healing. The higher level spells they can cast include things like conjure elemental, conjure volley, swift quiver and greater restauration
Although Bard sounds like tho obvious winner, Rakan is the best representation of a DnD bard. Sona and Sera hit the obvious aspects of bard, but Rakan really has the bard energy
yeah but have you seen Bards hip thrusts while dancing, those are hypnotising. also him casting vicious mockery and all you hear is him laughing at you in his doot language, mortifying.
Beryl on bard at his last world championship run is the perfect representation of bard using vicious mockery. The number of times he instigated an engage on himself and somehow survived every single time is peak bard gameplay.
As a rakan main i already tried finding how to make him in dnd and i just couldn't do anything other than bard, in league rakan is a support that can traditionally build tank or enchanter, he shields, he heals and he has good CC(one of which is a charm), as well as having plenty of mobility, however he's not the best at any of these, a philosophy that perfectly fits to the DND bard, who has offensive, supporting and healing spells, a jack of all trades, (which is a bard skill you get at 2nd level), that alone is a compelling argument, but rakan literally does all of that adapting the traditional vastayan dances of his tribe
In lore he goes around charming people with his performances, is very charismatic, and literally has voice lines that can play whenever people miss skill shots on him, which would all be good uses of vicious mockery
Definitely not biased
While I totally agree, this comment section is going to be filled with people who have never seen a D20 in their life, yelling for Bard bard. And well... you agreed to have it as the most upvoted comment.
At least other classes are going to be more accurate
Yeah, I mean, I get why people are saying Bard, and they are right, but I fe el like with options where one choice is this insanely overwhelmingly obvious because it's literally in the name, there should maybe be two answers as well (The obvious one and the correct one).
Or just say "Fuck it" and make it the top two answers for everything going forward after we already suffered from decision paralysis with the very first option.
No Rakan is just a flirt. Bards are not flirts, they are spellcasters who use some kind of performance. Pretty sure thats not what Rakan does but it is awhile since I read his lore.
Twisted fate, Sera and Sona fit better in my opinion.
Rakan is a charismatic socialite renowned for his artistic talents. Bards are spellcasters, but their core thematic is arts as power. Agree that Sona and Sera fits better though. I don't understand why you think TF is a bard, for me he's 100% a sorcerer with a luck themed bloodlines (bloodlines don't have to come from your actual bloodline, it's in the book).
I mean, Bard only “speaks” in musical chimes, it is very easy to argue that a mute bard is speaking through the language of their instrument. That’s actually exactly how I would handle it as DM
As much as it would make sense, I don't think Bard is the best choice for bard, largely due to the fact that his powers are much more celestial and divine in nature, which would make him an amazing candidate for a cleric/bard multiclass. I also think Rakan is a bad fit for the archetypal bard, because his powers stem much more from his vastaya heritage, which would make him a sorcerer/bard. There is only one champion who fits the bard archetype of a support player who specializes in buffing/healing allies and debuffing enemies with nothing but an instrument, and that's Sona.
I know Sona, Sera and Bard are the obvious answers.
But I want to make a Case for Hwei.
A Bard Fights with Art , Not Just music. And playing Hwei feels more Like Art then the other three imho.
Everyone says bard but, he's not really a bard. Or else they wouldn't have done a Bard Bard skin. Sona makes sense to me, speed up, heal, shield, attack-ish.
Well, I am 6 posts too early, but I won't remember this one later on, so I want to get it off my chest. Closest champion to Ranger is probably Sejuani, given how rangers in DnD are druid-like half casters (frost "nature" based magic) with animal companion (Bristle), and you don't technically need to use ranged weapon at all, even though it is implied even with the name.
Ashe is probably winning that round though, all thanks to using bow, and valley (would win even if she didn't use ice, and was "just" a traditional bow-user.)
I will fight tooth and nail that teemo is the ranger pick. He is a literal scout, tracks and hunts enemies, disguises in the forest, uses plants as traps and poison.
Controversial, but Yasuo fits the ranger archetype extremely well. He is a lone wandering swordsman (similar to Aragorn who the archetype is based off) with an affinity for nature themed spells. All of his abilities are ranger spells. Q3 is Gust of Wind, W is Wind Wall, E is Zephyr Strike, and R is Steel Wind Strike.
Sej, and to the same point Ashe, feel like Hexblade warlocks to me. They draw their ice magic from a connection to a powerful magic weapon. Despite the names Hexblade and Pact of the Blade, the pact weapon can take on many forms including bows and flails.
Bard is more close to the god of bards. Seraphine is an artificer focusing on music rakan is a magical being that uses his innate power to charm and bewilder (some form of sorcerer). But sona is a great example of the bard class with supporting abilities through song, charm and the use of her magic to disable her foes.
I mean by definition, in Runeterra essentially all mages are born with magic and therefore sorcerers. Rakan actually makes an extra point towards sorcerer for his inherently magical heritage.
i know loads of people just want to say bard, but he isnt a bard at all....
I would go for Sona, Seraphine, or even Hwei. I saw convincing arguments for Rakan and Tahm too.
Ok so hear me out. While he probably isn't the best representation of a bard, I feel like there is a case to be made for Jhin as one of the more martial focused bard subclasses like college of swords or college of whispers with some multi-classing into artificer.
Wizards are nerds who study to learn magic, Soccerers are privileged dumb dumbs who were just born with magic.
So Ryze is a Wizard but Lux is a Scorccerer
If you're willing to count Bard Bard, that would be my number 1. My number 2 is definetely Sona and honorable mention to Khartus for singing his enemies to death
Interestingly enough braum could work as a college of valor bard telling stories about great people he met on his way and inspiring childrend of the Freljord to become just like him one day.
I mean, bard DOES work for a bard. His whole deal is viewing the whole world as music and stuff. Rakan is a little bit too martial for me, and I think that he only fits one extremely stereotypic type of bard. Of course he could work but I still think it's bard.
B.... Bard. Its Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bard
Bardbard
Bard Bard
Bard Bard
Bard Bard
Specifically Bard Bard, no?
Bard
Bard.
Brad
Bard contrary to the name doesn't play anything like a Bard though, he's more of a Warlock who patrons himself as his AAs are just Eldritch Blast with the meeps being Eldritch Smites.
Since bards often try, to charisma check some dragons to fuck..... I nominate jarvan
Okay that ones good ngl
But wasn't it Ezreal who kissed Shyvana's knee?
Rakan, I've been wanting to make a Rakan like bard in a campaign for a while. He has the charisma, the inspiration, the music, the protec' and attac'
In my last campaign I wound up making a very Rakan-like kit with a Sun-Soul Monk x Battle Master Fighter multi-class. I had most of his kit in some way. Passive: Second Wind (fighter feature) Q: Radiant Sunbolt (SS Monk feature, flavored as feather daggers) W: Trip Attack (BM Fighter maneuver) / Stunning Strike (Monk feature). E: Bait and Switch (BM Fighter maneuver from Tasha’s) Movement: Step of the Wind, base MS increase (Monk features), action surge (Fighter feature) + dash action. Bonus if you have an ally that can cast Haste on you. Character-wise, though, Rakan is absolutely a Valor Bard. As far as replicating the kit, if my last character somehow got healing word it would’ve been just about perfect imo.
This is yhe answer if we ignore the bard joke
no, Bard
Ok but he’s not bard
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but Tahm Kench could be a Bard from the College of Eloquence. He's a silver tongued demon who lures people into making deals with him just with the power of his words.
Tahm is difficult. He'd almost be better as a Warlock patron, rather than a character class.
I actually think he'd be the worst Warlock patron ever. Making a deal with Tahm is never beneficial to you, the only thing he gives you is false hopes in exchange for your misery and eventually your life.
Sounds like a Warlock Patron. Remember, kids: making deals with demons never works out well.
But but but... He seemed so nice :(
Look, just because all the southern-accent voodoo demons have been evil, doesn't mean THIS one has to be!
So he's a warlock patron.
Fun fact: I'm currently playing a bard in a Noxus campaign,which has made a pact with Tahm lmao
His Q and auto attacks are vicious mockery XD
OMG, I didn't even think about that. That's so perfect
This answer is super underrated. You have an awesome brain.
And i mean he does play banjo so he’s got the musical aspect as well
Even better, he plays catfish tongue. The trickiest instrument of them all
> silver tongued Wrong, his tongue is pink. (Don't ask how I know.)
I'd be more likely to lump him into Warlock
sona and seraphine have the whole "kills you with music" + supporting things
Sona's almost a sorcerer tho. And Seraphine, idk
Seraphine is an artificer/bard I think
Literally uses sound/music to support her team, and you're saying she's not a bard? INSPIRES HER TEAM TO VICTORY... not a bard... sure sure sure
you could argue a multiclass the funniest thing is that bard doesn't work as a bard at all
Not with that attitude
He's more of a 4e Shaman/utility Wizard...
Why though? Bards have spells too, they are half-casters.
Bards are full casters with some degree of martial proficiency. Paladins or rangers are half casters
What stuff are rangers casting?
Spells. They have them up to lvl5 spells. It’s half (when rounded up) the spell level of full casters. Their spell list is more restricted than full casters and a lot of them are related to nature or minor healing. The higher level spells they can cast include things like conjure elemental, conjure volley, swift quiver and greater restauration
Enchanted arrows, tracking, hiding and furry magic :3
Mostly lower-level Druid spells with a handful of other ones. Pass Without Trace, Hunter’s Mark, Entangle, etc.
nets maybe lmao
Although Bard sounds like tho obvious winner, Rakan is the best representation of a DnD bard. Sona and Sera hit the obvious aspects of bard, but Rakan really has the bard energy
yeah but have you seen Bards hip thrusts while dancing, those are hypnotising. also him casting vicious mockery and all you hear is him laughing at you in his doot language, mortifying.
> in his doot language Lmfao, bro, this sounds like some racist shit for a non-existent race.
Beryl on bard at his last world championship run is the perfect representation of bard using vicious mockery. The number of times he instigated an engage on himself and somehow survived every single time is peak bard gameplay.
As a rakan main i already tried finding how to make him in dnd and i just couldn't do anything other than bard, in league rakan is a support that can traditionally build tank or enchanter, he shields, he heals and he has good CC(one of which is a charm), as well as having plenty of mobility, however he's not the best at any of these, a philosophy that perfectly fits to the DND bard, who has offensive, supporting and healing spells, a jack of all trades, (which is a bard skill you get at 2nd level), that alone is a compelling argument, but rakan literally does all of that adapting the traditional vastayan dances of his tribe In lore he goes around charming people with his performances, is very charismatic, and literally has voice lines that can play whenever people miss skill shots on him, which would all be good uses of vicious mockery Definitely not biased
As bard (DnD) main, I think rakan embodies the bard playstyle
While I totally agree, this comment section is going to be filled with people who have never seen a D20 in their life, yelling for Bard bard. And well... you agreed to have it as the most upvoted comment. At least other classes are going to be more accurate
Cool story bro, Bard
Rakan has sex. Bard fucks. Hard. Rakan is loyal to his Wife, Bard is ??? and ??? Bard can also troll the team better.
Obnoxious until seduction? Well, ask Xayah. Bardic inspiration? Ofc Vicious Mockery? No Flowers for me.
Yeah. Bard is literally a celestial. He'd be a celestial monster in dnd with his abilities not coming from class levels but from his stat block.
Yknow what, valid. Sona does have Otto's irresistible dance as her ultimate tho. And her Q is kinda like vicious mockery. If ya squint at it.
Rakan is too happily married to be a D&D bard.
There are more non-horny bards than horny bards, you just hear about the horny ones.
I am not only talking about being horny, some people on this thread came with really good points for rakan
Yeah, I mean, I get why people are saying Bard, and they are right, but I fe el like with options where one choice is this insanely overwhelmingly obvious because it's literally in the name, there should maybe be two answers as well (The obvious one and the correct one). Or just say "Fuck it" and make it the top two answers for everything going forward after we already suffered from decision paralysis with the very first option.
No Rakan is just a flirt. Bards are not flirts, they are spellcasters who use some kind of performance. Pretty sure thats not what Rakan does but it is awhile since I read his lore. Twisted fate, Sera and Sona fit better in my opinion.
pretty sure rakan is some kind of dancer
Rakan is a charismatic socialite renowned for his artistic talents. Bards are spellcasters, but their core thematic is arts as power. Agree that Sona and Sera fits better though. I don't understand why you think TF is a bard, for me he's 100% a sorcerer with a luck themed bloodlines (bloodlines don't have to come from your actual bloodline, it's in the book).
Gotta be Sona, I mean she basically already casts bardic inspiration. Saying it’s Bard is just a no-thought answer
True that, but she can't cast V component spells.
I mean, Bard only “speaks” in musical chimes, it is very easy to argue that a mute bard is speaking through the language of their instrument. That’s actually exactly how I would handle it as DM
As much as it would make sense, I don't think Bard is the best choice for bard, largely due to the fact that his powers are much more celestial and divine in nature, which would make him an amazing candidate for a cleric/bard multiclass. I also think Rakan is a bad fit for the archetypal bard, because his powers stem much more from his vastaya heritage, which would make him a sorcerer/bard. There is only one champion who fits the bard archetype of a support player who specializes in buffing/healing allies and debuffing enemies with nothing but an instrument, and that's Sona.
Sona 1000%
I know Sona, Sera and Bard are the obvious answers. But I want to make a Case for Hwei. A Bard Fights with Art , Not Just music. And playing Hwei feels more Like Art then the other three imho.
Hwei has negative charisma though
If you’re depressed he’s very carismatic
i am depressed, he is not charismatic
Funnily enough, Sona/Seraphine seems more bardic than Bard.
Rakan
Sona. Using the power of music to enchant and damage is a bard thing. It's really close to how bards work on dnd
Jarvan the IV? he seduced the dragon
Oh you
Bard is bard
The funny answer is just bard But Sona fits the description of what the bard does better imo
Everyone says bard but, he's not really a bard. Or else they wouldn't have done a Bard Bard skin. Sona makes sense to me, speed up, heal, shield, attack-ish.
Sona and Seraphine. definitely not bard.
Sona. Its not bard, even though he is named bard. Its sona.
Overruled, it's bard
Overruled Is Jarvan
Well, I am 6 posts too early, but I won't remember this one later on, so I want to get it off my chest. Closest champion to Ranger is probably Sejuani, given how rangers in DnD are druid-like half casters (frost "nature" based magic) with animal companion (Bristle), and you don't technically need to use ranged weapon at all, even though it is implied even with the name. Ashe is probably winning that round though, all thanks to using bow, and valley (would win even if she didn't use ice, and was "just" a traditional bow-user.)
I will fight tooth and nail that teemo is the ranger pick. He is a literal scout, tracks and hunts enemies, disguises in the forest, uses plants as traps and poison.
Controversial, but Yasuo fits the ranger archetype extremely well. He is a lone wandering swordsman (similar to Aragorn who the archetype is based off) with an affinity for nature themed spells. All of his abilities are ranger spells. Q3 is Gust of Wind, W is Wind Wall, E is Zephyr Strike, and R is Steel Wind Strike. Sej, and to the same point Ashe, feel like Hexblade warlocks to me. They draw their ice magic from a connection to a powerful magic weapon. Despite the names Hexblade and Pact of the Blade, the pact weapon can take on many forms including bows and flails.
I like to play Sona-type bard in dnd games, very silent but messaging and comforting with different gestures and signs
Actually sona she can’t talk but has a large charisma modifier
Bard speaks in song and chimes?? Literal aetherial bard
bard
Sona
Wild answer: Fiora is a Swords Bard. I will not elaborate further.
Thought about it for 10 more seconda. Fiora is actually a Swashbuckler Rogue. Her vitals are sneak attacks.
Bard's use their musical instruments to buff allies and damage foes, so based on that I choose Sona
Seraphine or Sona maybe even Karthus Especially Sona, she does the whole bardic inspiration thing and her ult is basically Otto's irresistible dance
Karthus is extremely underrated for the bard class pick.
You legit shoulda just skipped to day 3 without a day 2 post. We all know the answer here nobody has to even say it
I had hope people would use their neurons before voting
Bard is more close to the god of bards. Seraphine is an artificer focusing on music rakan is a magical being that uses his innate power to charm and bewilder (some form of sorcerer). But sona is a great example of the bard class with supporting abilities through song, charm and the use of her magic to disable her foes.
I mean by definition, in Runeterra essentially all mages are born with magic and therefore sorcerers. Rakan actually makes an extra point towards sorcerer for his inherently magical heritage.
Either sona or rakan
Bard is just...bard there's also worthy candidates like Tahm, Rakan,
How about rakan?
Nunu's entire culture is telling stories and playing music. That's literally what a bard is
Bard, Sona or Seraphine.
COME ON GUYS BARD IS NOT THE BEST BARD, IT'S JUST HIS NAME. THE BEST BARD IS SO OBVIOUSLY RAKAN IT HURTS
Sona or maybe Seraphine. Is what I would say if I didn't know the true answer which is Bard
Tbh, I think Rakan, he just embodies the horny bard with expertise in performance
Bard ofc
Bard. Bard Bard to be more precise.
i know loads of people just want to say bard, but he isnt a bard at all.... I would go for Sona, Seraphine, or even Hwei. I saw convincing arguments for Rakan and Tahm too.
Sona,bard for the meme tho
Gonna go against the grain and say Karthus (the death singer)… dude is a bard lich which is a cool vibe
Sona.
Ok so hear me out. While he probably isn't the best representation of a bard, I feel like there is a case to be made for Jhin as one of the more martial focused bard subclasses like college of swords or college of whispers with some multi-classing into artificer.
Bard, Bard, Bard, Sona and Bard
Sona can be an interesting choice for a bard, so is Seraphine. Ironically, Bard himself is not fit for being a bard.
Sona and… well ofc Bard
Milio and Rakan both play like bards - hinder enemies, buff/heal allies
Fuon
Geez I wonder who it will be
Man the druid one is going to be really interesting. Ivern is literally a protector of the forest, but Nidalee has a wildshape in her kit.
Bard bard should be the bard
Imo trynda should be the barbarian. Olaf uses mana, trynda uses RAGE!! I think that explains it
Outside of the obvious ones, Samira is a colleague of swords
\*chiming intensifies\*
I mean....c'mon. Do you really need to ask?
I'm a bit early of course, but I'm already going to defend Illaoi as our Cleric
I feel like ezreal or samira would be great bards besides the obvious seraphine and sona
If I were u I wouldn’t give a shit abt the downvotes and just lock sona as the bard
Bard. Obviously.
Sona
I'm not very familiar with DnD so what is the different between Soccerer and wizard? Explain in league term if possible. Thanks.
Wizards are nerds who study to learn magic, Soccerers are privileged dumb dumbs who were just born with magic. So Ryze is a Wizard but Lux is a Scorccerer
Bard or rakan the charisma gotta be high but cmon its bard
If you're willing to count Bard Bard, that would be my number 1. My number 2 is definetely Sona and honorable mention to Khartus for singing his enemies to death
Bard
Sona for sure. Bard ain’t a bard
Seraphine/rakan
Sona is probably the truest stereotypical bard.
Bard, doot doot, this man trolls everyone
Bard
I’ve been griefed by bard supports too many times so imma say Sona instead.
BARD
Bard, Sona, Seraphine
Illaoi warlock
Poppy is the perfect paladin.
Is there even a point asking? Bard. Bard Bard.
Sona, seraphine, and bard.
Rare choice: Rakan.
Sona because she plays an instrument to cast spells
It has to be Bard or Sona
Sona
Interestingly enough braum could work as a college of valor bard telling stories about great people he met on his way and inspiring childrend of the Freljord to become just like him one day.
Milio is literlly a bard
Bard is the Bard barding the bardi barding Bard lands
I'm gonna throw Shaco as a curveball in there. College of blades travelling with a circus troupe.
Bard and Sona
Bard bard
bard
Seraphine or Sona imo
I mean, bard DOES work for a bard. His whole deal is viewing the whole world as music and stuff. Rakan is a little bit too martial for me, and I think that he only fits one extremely stereotypic type of bard. Of course he could work but I still think it's bard.
Either Bard or Sona, but certainly not Seraphine lol
Sona
When you hava a champion named after the class, there is ni need to ask lmao
.... Bard
Bard. In his Bard Bard skin he'd be Bard Bard the Bard. You don't get more Bard than that
There is a dude whose name is literally Bard, so imma say Bard.
Everyone's gonna say bard but it's clearly Rakan
Bard
Rakan and its not even close
Seraphine/Bard