Arrr, VRC.LOL

ARAM · Howling AbyssMatchup chartPatch 16.20.1

Bard vs Vex

Loadout, runes, tricks and practical pre-battle checks in one queue-aware reference.

BardVSVex

Matchup chart

Pick th' matchup

Scan th' horizon any two champions. ARAM uses one shared course, so no Rift role selection be required.

VS
FormatOne shared lane, matey

Pick two champions from th' list.

Arrr, ARAM context

One shared course, one champion-specific course

Th' chart uses ARAM starting, shopping and teamfight rules. Its internal loadout source be nay shown as a Rift assignment.

Arrr, howling Abyss
Review patch be unknownRecommendations await inspection

These patches keep recommendation review, build checks and item lookup on separate charts, matey. Fresh item data does not finish a build review.

Recommendations’ patch
— Data Dragon
Build check’s patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup’s patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Arrr, howling Abyss rules

Prepare fer one shared course

ARAM removes th' normal Rift role sea chart. Loadout 'round th' champion, th' five-sailor crew and th' next aboard fight instead.

01
Set sail together

Inspect rerolls and th' shared bench, then leave wit' an opening that fits this champion and th' crew 'round it.

02
Arrr, shop while dead

Ye cannae Recall to buy. Course components afore leaving th' shop and use each death timer deliberately.

03
Share hull relics

A relic heals nigh th' ship crewmates after a short delay. Signal it and avoid taking th' trigger when a lower-hull teammate needs th' area.

04
Fight wit' th' wave

Minions create structure pressure and safer space. Clearing first aboard can be more booty useful than forcing another low-hull engage.

Arrr, ARAM · Howling Abyss

Arrr, ARAM spell reference

Compare th' opening wit' Riot's ARAM Captain-recommended shop afore leaving base. After that, purchases happen only while dead; th' six usable inventory slots do nay increase.

Arrr, death-only shopping
S
ARAM opening · separate from gear 1

Guardian's Orb

950 doubloons

An ARAM trick-power starter to compare wit' th' present Captain-recommended shop.

1
Arrr, haste Boots

Ionian Boots of Lucidity

900 doubloons

Adds inexpensive haste and movement fer repeated casts.

2
Arrr, spell core

Luden's Echo

2,750 doubloons

Arrr, adds mana and repeated spell impact.

3
Arrr, long-range follow-up

Horizon Focus

2,700 doubloons

Arrr, rewards reliable long-range spell contact.

4
Arrr, late spell power

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 doubloons

Multiplies th' completed trick-power core.

5
Arrr, against resistance

Void Staff

3,000 doubloons

Adds percentage magic penetration agin' meaningful resistance.

6
Arrr, final option

Shadowflame

3,200 doubloons

Completes th' permanent inventory wit' stronger magic damage agin' low-hull targets.

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

Shipshape loadout choices

Pick th' course afore play

Recommendations await inspection

AlternativeArrr, too much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Arrr, late spell powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

AlternativeArrr, they burst meArrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Arrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Arrr, late spell powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

AlternativeArrr, one spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Arrr, long-range follow-upHorizon Focus
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

Shipshape loadout comparison

Shipshape loadout comparison

Recommendations await inspection

Build chart needs reviewArrr, ARAM spell referenceRecommendations await inspectionSpy full course

Recommendations await inspection

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Arrr, long-range follow-upHorizon Focus
  4. Arrr, late spell powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

AlternativeArrr, too much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Arrr, late spell powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

AlternativeArrr, they burst meArrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Arrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Arrr, late spell powerRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

AlternativeArrr, one spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.Spy full course

Arrr, best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.

  1. Arrr, haste BootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  2. Arrr, spell coreLuden's Echo
  3. Arrr, long-range follow-upHorizon Focus
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Arrr, against resistanceVoid Staff
  6. Arrr, final optionShadowflame

Buy this only after selling yer Guardian starter, when all six permanent slots be needed, arrr.

Arrr, runes and summoner spells

Arrr, runes and summoner spellsBardHowling Abyss

Aery and Revitalize support repeated ally protection. Exhaust be a manual captain's answer to one committed diver rather than a generic damage spell.

Arrr, ARAM
Arrr, primary tree

Sorcery

Summon AeryManaflow BandTranscendenceGathering Storm
Arrr, secondary tree

Resolve

Font of LifeRevitalize
Arrr, summoner spells
FlashExhaust
Arrr, howling Abyss only

Mark and Clarity be mode-specific choices. Do nay copy to parchment this pair onto a Summoner's Rift chart.

Protect th' next aboard fight

Pick th' second spell 'round access, survival and crew resources rather than treating every ARAM champion as a diver.

Arrr, matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-battle kit comparison
Shared-course interaction

Arrr, compare reliable reach and repeatable value

Track which champion can apply damage, control or protection without crossing th' foe crew's seaworthy space. ARAM does nay turn this kit comparison into a course-counter claim.

Crew context first aboard

Rerolls, allied range, engage and protection can matter more booty than either champion in isolation.

Yer course

Use th' course ye prepared

Use th' champion-specific ARAM loadout as a starting reference, then inspect th' present Captain-recommended shop, yer five-sailor composition and th' next aboard available death shop.

Trick reminders

Bard reminders

  • It's fit fer th' captain's eye to collect chimes to improve yer meep's attacks, but don't neglect yer course partner! Try to make a big entrance by bringing an ally into th' course wit' ye wit' Magical Journey.
  • Let yer Caretaker's Shrines charge up - they heal fer a lot more booty when at full power.
  • Don't forget that enemies can also use yer Magical Journey doorways, and that yer ultimate can also hit yer crewmates!

Arrr, static alternatives

Compare th' problem afore changing th' course

These choices be nay picked from live scores. Use one only after ye identify th' stated clash problem yourself.

Arrr, too much healing

Morellonomicon

Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing be already deciding fights.

Arrr, they burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Arrr, zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

Arrr, one spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect th' first aboard fit fer th' captain's eye cast agin' ye.

Trick reference

Arrr, compare both kits

Trick reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Wait fer reload (s) / Cost / Charted reach (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Bard

  1. P
    Traveler's CallEnglish

    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.

  2. Q
    Cosmic BindingEnglish

    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.

    That exported range ain't a verified in-game distance. Check the ability's current tooltip, matey.

    Wait fer reload (s) 11/10/9/8/7 · Cost 60
  3. W
    Caretaker's ShrineEnglish

    Reveals a Health shrine which powers up over a short time, disappearing after healing and speeding up the first ally that touches it.

    Cost 70 · Charted reach (units) 800
  4. E
    Magical JourneyEnglish

    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.

    Wait fer reload (s) 22/20.5/19/17.5/16 · Cost 30 · Charted reach (units) 900
  5. R
    Tempered FateEnglish

    Bard sends spirit energy arcing to a location, putting all champions, minions, monsters, and turrets hit into stasis for a brief time.

    Wait fer reload (s) 110/95/80 · Cost 100 · Charted reach (units) 3400

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n GloomEnglish

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral BoltEnglish

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Wait fer reload (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Charted reach (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal SpaceEnglish

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Wait fer reload (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Charted reach (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming DarknessEnglish

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Wait fer reload (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Charted reach (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow SurgeEnglish

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Wait fer reload (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Charted reach (units) 2000/2500/3000

Adapt th' course

What to do when th' battle changes

Judge th' whole course or sea chart state, nay only personal kills. Pick th' situation closest to th' present battle.

Even course

Trade 'round hull, range and th' next aboard wave

1
Wave

Let th' crew clear th' deck without spending every fit fer th' captain's eye cooldown at once.

2
Sea chart play

Track th' shared course, brush control and available relics rather than looking fer a Rift rotation.

3
Fights

Use th' champion's reliable range, protection or control afore forcing a low-percentage engage.

Shared-course course

Bard on Howling Abyss

Read hull, range, wave position and respawn timing together. ARAM has no side-course rotation, neutral-prize setup or normal ward-control loop.

Arrr, ARAM only
1
Afore th' fight

Clear th' deck or escort th' wave, inspect which crewmates be alive and preserve enough hull to use th' champion's reliable range, protection or engage.

2
During th' fight

Use th' nearest seaworthy target and th' crew's reachable follow-up. Do nay cross th' whole foe formation fer a single low-hull champion.

3
After th' fight

Push wit' surviving minions, take th' seaworthy structure damage available and reset th' course only through a real death rather than donating one alone.

Arrr, keep preparing

Stay wit' Howling Abyss ship's intelligence

Unfurl th' shipshape ARAM loadout or compare another champion. Rift role counters be intentionally kept out o' this chart.

Unfurl full ARAM loadoutArrr, compare another pair