Introduction:
Hello! I am here to explain why Bard is a very good option to climb with and play in solo queue. Any statistics used in this guide will be sourced from u.gg, op.gg, and other API based website from the emerald (or higher) level of play.

Bard is good and always has been because of his flexibility in his build path. He has options when he is behind or ahead, and can itemize very effeciently due to his kit. He can opt in to carry items like heartsteel, or more supportive items like locket. He can also build whatever is meta most of the time. But how do we know what items to build and what runes to take? I will discuss this in this guide.

Runes:
Selection of runes is important, because you want them to synergize with your style of play and the items that you will build. How do you know what will work best? First, look at your ADC. Then team comps. For example; If you are with a carry that will need a lot of peel (like kog-maw a popular pick right now), you will want to run a more tanky build with guardian, sleigh, and locket. Your lesser runes are also important. Some players will run creativity, with boots and biscuit. Some will use domination, picking relentless hunter and zombie ward. All are great options, but while in champ select, think about what each rune selection will accomplish.

Spells:
ALways run flash. Ignite for kill pressure, exhaust against dive, and heal if you have a hyper carry like kog or jinx and exhaust wont help as much.

A few notes that might help explain things you may question in this guide:
Dead Mans: Bard does not get much worth out of building trailblazer. Its slow applies exclusively to melee users. So, we build dead man's plate and run magical footwear to cushion the cost.

Boots: If you have dead mans, the slow resist from the swifties isnt as worth. However, it does stack multiplicatively. So, if for whatever reason you need that much slow resist (nasus), go for it, but usually one or the other will do.

Going to go in alphabetical order since there are a lot of these. Going to break matchups down into laning phase, neutral, and teamfights.

Alistar -
Amumu
Ashe
Bard(no)
Blitzcrank
Brand
Braum
Camille
Fiddlesticks
Galio
Hwei
Janna
Karma
Leblanc
Leona
Lulu
Lux
Maokai
Milio
Morgana
Nami
Nautilus
Neeko
Pantheon
Poppy
Pyke
Rakan
Rell
Renata
Senna
Seraphine
Shaco
Shen
Sona
Soraka
Swain
Sylas
Tahm
Taric
Teemo
Thresh
Velkoz
Xerath
Yuumi
Zac
Zilean
Zoe
Zyra