Zilean Support performs well against Bard (53.9% win rate) based on 610 games. This matchup works well for Zilean players.
View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Zilean Support vs Bard Support in patch 15.17 (25.17), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 70%+ in this matchup.
With 2.6% popularity, Zilean constantly encounters meta-dominant Bard (5.6%, 13th place out of 52 Support champions). Understanding how to play against this popular champion becomes essential for consistent Zilean performance in the current patch. Even tiers, uneven results: Both champions sit at A-tier, but Zilean claims a meaningful 53.9% vs 46.1% advantage. Zilean's kit synergizes better in this specific head-to-head matchup. Optimize for consistency: Arcane Comet paired with Manaflow Band (58.5% win rate, 20.3% popularity) provides the stats you need, while the item sequence Archangel's Staff > Shurelya's Battlesong > Imperial Mandate with Ionian Boots of Lucidity delivers 70%+ win rate against Bard.
Total map control: Zilean dominates both the matchup and vision control (0.89 vs 0.84 wards/min). Your extra 0.05 wards/min create massive macro advantages for your entire team. Quality over quantity: Zilean wins through smart play rather than raw damage - despite lower DPS (310 vs 487/min), the 53.9% win rate shows superior utility, positioning, and team fight impact. Statistical dominance: Zilean leads in both matchup win rate (53.9%) and KDA (3.20 vs 3.00) - complete superiority across all metrics.
| Versus | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Tier | A |
| 53.9% | Matchup Winrate | 46.1% |
| 50.21% | Role Winrate | 50.18% |
| #21 | Winrate Rank | #23 |
| 2.6% | Pickrate | 5.6% |
| 3.2 | Average KDA | 3.0 |
| 286 | Gold per Minute | 310 |
| 0.89 | Wards per Minute | 0.84 |
| 310 | Damage per Minute | 487 |
The Zilean versus Bard matchup as support is favorable with proper positioning. Use your statistical advantage and prevent the opponent from realizing their potential.
The magic damage that Zilean deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Bard has mixed damage, be careful as it may be harder to defend if the opponent gets ahead or plays aggressively.
An important advantage of Zilean is superior vision control (ranked 26th among supports) (versus 34th for Bard), which provides better map control and safety for the team in important map areas. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (3.0 versus 3.2) suggests they are less effective in team fights.
Despite the statistical advantage in the matchup, overconfidence can be the main mistake. It is important for the Zilean player to maintain constant pressure on Bard, not allowing the opponent to safely scale up, and actively use the advantage gained to help their team.
Damaging enemy champions with basic attacks or abilities sends Aery to them, dealing 10 -…
Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…
Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…
Gain 10 Move Speed and 13 - 30 Adaptive Force (based on level) when in the rive…
Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true d…
Gain 8 Move Speed out of combat per Bounty Hunter stack. Bounty Hunter stacks a…
+8 Ability Haste
Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power
Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18
Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet …
Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…
Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…
Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus mag…
Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until …
+18 Summoner Spell Haste+10 Item Haste
Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power
Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power
Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18
