League of Legends next champion revealed: Bard, the Wandering Caretaker

I feel like it's been forever since Riot Games has added to the League of Legends champion pool. But with a new season underway, it's time to give players a new toy to play with. Introducing Bard, The Wandering Caretaker.

The celestial vagabond known only as Bard dwells beyond the physical universe in realms unknown to man. Manifesting when others threaten the cosmic equilibrium, the ancient caretaker acts with speed and intent, only returning to his endless watch once he has steered Runeterra from catastrophe.

Fitting for his name, The Wandering Caretaker is League of Legends' first support champion to gain advantages solely by moving around Summoner's Rift. As part of his passive, sacred chimes will appear on the the Fields of Justice; by collected these chimes, Bard gains a brief burst of movement speed, experience, and stamina. At the same time, his constant moving around the map offers his team "solid sustain with his health packs and unrivalled team mobility with his long range portals."

Check out Bard's abilities below.

Passive: Traveler's Call

Ancient Chimes

Bard’s presence causes sacred chimes to appear on the Fields of Justice. Collecting a chime grants Bard a brief burst of movement speed, experience, and mana.

Meeps

Bard’s presence attracts small spirits known as meeps to his side. Whenever Bard attacks, a meep throws itself at his target, dealing extra damage before disappearing back to the spirit world. As Bard collects more chimes, the meeps that follow him grow in both number and power.

Q: Cosmic Binding

Bard fires out a burst of spirit energy in a line, damaging and slowing the first enemy struck. After Cosmic Binding hits an enemy, the burst of energy continues through, searching for secondary targets. If it hits a wall, it stuns the initial target; if it hits a second enemy, it stuns both targets.

W: Caretaker's Shrine

Bard conjures a health pack that gains power for a few seconds. Allied champions who walk over the pack gain health and a brief burst of movement speed, while enemies can stand on the pack for a moment to destroy it.

E: Magical Journey

Bard conjures a portal on a target wall. The portal tunnels through to the far end of the wall, granting one-way passage to all champions, friend and foe, who enter it.

R: Tempered Fate

After a brief delay, Bard places all units in a targeted area – friend or foe, including champions, minions, monsters and turrets – in stasis. Frozen units are immune to all damage until the effect wears off.

Bard is said to work well with Caitlyn, Udyr, and Amumu, while struggling against Rek'Sai, Draven, and Leona. For tips on how to play him  in the laning phase and in teamfights, check out his full reveal page.