Skarner Build Guide by sp00fz

Introduction

I will try the new jungle with Skarner and tell you guys how I thought he handled it.

Skarner Lore

MMMCenturies ago, there lived a race of creatures as ferocious as they were wise. The brackern were unusual beings blessed with the earth's primal magic, embodied in the form of crystals. Their kind knew of an arcane ritual to bind their life's essence to a crystal, communing with the magic embedded in it. With this power, the brackern thrived in the Odyn Valley, protecting both creatures and crystals alike. Despite attacks from those looking to claim the primal magic, it seemed that nothing could get past the brackern's defenses. Nothing, that is, until the devastation of a Rune War.
MMMA vicious battle was fought near the Odyn Valley and the unleashed chaotic magic poisoned the crystals. The brackern began to grow sick and die, and no amount of defensive magic could reverse the effects. To avoid extinction, their only course was to hibernate underground until the wars stopped. The strongest, most intelligent brackern hibernated closer to the surface to awaken first and assess the world's condition for the return of their race. The recent mining operations and violent escalation in Kalamanda were enough to awaken the first of these vanguards. When Skarner burst to the surface, he lashed out in anger and confusion. Reason eventually won out over his anger when he realized that the agents of the League who found him were simply functionaries. Skarner was invited to the Institute of War to share the brackern's story. In return, the summoners told him about the history that his kind had slept through. Much had been done to curb the unchecked use of magic since the Rune Wars, but it was obvious that the world was not yet safe for his kind to reawaken. For now, however, there is a place where Skarner can use his power to change the world into one to which his kind could eventually return: the League of Legends.

"The humans have not yet learned to control their magic - what once was Kalamanda is now a crystal scar on the history of this world."
Skarner

Pros / Cons

PROS ¤ Great, fast jungler. ¤ Good damage during whole game. ¤ Tanky + Shield. ¤ Supress-ultimate.

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P R O S - C O N S

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CONS ¤ Mana issues early. ¤ Fracture is only good in lane. ¤ Takes time to master. ¤ Hard to get strong if shutted down early.

Skarner in the "Current Meta"

First I would like to explain the "Current Meta".

Meta is how the game is being played for the moment. Duobot, Solo mid, Solo top and Jungler is the basic meta right now.

Meta can also be explained by the meta in lanes, for example AP/AD Caster mid is the current meta in mid.

The Junglemeta right now is Carryjunglers like Vi and Volibear. Skarner goes into the category of "Suppportjunglers". Supportjunglers was strong in the mid/late Season 2, but doesn't really work anymore with the loss of Heart of Gold and the itemization for junglers doesn't fit for Supportjunglers.

Skarner is not a great pick for Season 3.

When and Why Skarner?

Items

Start with

Hunter's Machete and 5 Health Potions.


Why Shurelya's Reverie?
MMMShurelya's Reverie is a great item overall, and the synergy with Skarner is just to good. Skarner works best with Movement Speed, and that's exactly why we are getting this item. Activate + Crystalline Exoskeleton. Insane movement speed for initiate with Impale. This combo with Flash is great to, and very surprising! The stats is not bad either. Regen and HP!

Why Boots of Mobility?
MMMWith the Tenacity from Spirit of the Ancient Golem you don't really need Mercury's Treads and they work great with Skarner.

Why Spirit of the Ancient Golem?
MMMThis item give Skarner very usefull stats. Tenacity, Armor, Health and Health Regeneration. This item also helps you farm in the jungle, and that's really good.

Why Runic Bulwark?
MMM Aegis of the Legion is pretty much standard core-item for junglers and have been for some time. The new upgrade is great, and works amazing on Skarner.

Why Frozen Heart
It's really good Armor and Mana that enables you to spam Q in teamfights and have enough mana to anytime use abilities. The passive is also very good since you will be near opponents to slow them and be a bully.

Why Mikael's Crucible?
MMM Skarner works well with Mana, and we need some Magic Resist. This item gives great mana, great magic resist and great mana regeneration. The active is also a very good ability to save your mates.

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This is how i build Skarner The item gives him balanced amount of Armor, Magic Resist and Health. Read further down the page to find situational items that might work to help you help your team.

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The Big Do-Not-Buy-Section

This are items I have seen players getting on Skarner, but aren't even worth getting. I don't care if you carried games with these items. And yes, I have tested them. This is my opinion, and I will tell you why I don't want to buy them on Skarner

Hextech Gunblade
Skarner is a hybrid, that is true. But you are not a offensive, tons of damage-dealing carry. You don't need the Spell vamp, you could use the Life Steal... But it's not necessary. The activate is good but I don't feel that Skarner have space for this item. He don't need the dmg or ability power. If you think you need Hextech Gunblade, you are playing him wrong from this guide.

Nashor's Tooth
What!? I mean, come on! Why? Sure. Attack Speed for the passive and AP for more damage... But really? Nashor's Tooth? Don't be stupid. Nashor's Tooth are only there to take space from other items that are good for Skarner

Warmog's Armor
Well... Warmog's is a good item if you are planning on getting Atma's Impaler, but i prefer Frozen Mallet. The only thing you are getting is Health, and Health Regeneration. It's not bad! It's just that other items works better on Skarner and you will have plenty of health without it.

Atma's Impaler
Here it is! The reason I don't like Atma's Impaler is because Skarner needs more than just armor and AD. Sure, you get some crit chances but that is just... Not that necessary. Atmog's is for bruisers. Skarner is a Tank. He deal good amount of damage with Trinity Force/ Iceborn Gauntlet, and Atma's Impaler aren't fitting into my build. It have no synergy with Skarner. Now when Atma's Impaler got nerfed, i really can't see any reason to get one.

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Other items that might work

This are some items that works on Skarner, but i didn't found room in the build to add them.

Guardian Angel
Great item. If you're getting smashed you might want to give yourself an extra life. Very good on tanks since you will be focused (even if that's good for your team). The passive is immense and you might have to get this item in the late game when a death can throw a game.

Banshee's Veil
Get this instead of Mikael's Crucible if your enemies have strong combinations-dmg-burst (like Diana or Annie) and you need to shut them down. Banshee's Veil will have to pop and that might be bad for that huge burster. This is also a good Magic Resist-item.

Spirit Visage
Kind of the only magic resist-item that is worth getting, but doesn't synergy with Skarner that well. It's kinda good to power-up your Fracture, but that's all. This item works great if you have Soraka, Taric or another healer in your team.

Wit's End
Very good on Skarner, but I can't find a place to replace it on the main "build".
Works against strong bruisers and the attack speed help your abilities by lowering cooldowns.

Iceborn Gauntlet
Pick this up if you feel you need more damage instead of Frozen Heart

Abyssal Scepter
Great magic resist and helps your Q. It's passive is great because you will be in their faces. Get this item if you are playing with alot of magic damage.

Trinity Force
You got an early Sheen and just wanna have some fun in the late-late game? Get it and smash! Be careful! A death can throw the game.

Runes

MARKS Attack Speed Reason: + Helps Passive + Faster Jungle

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SEALS Flat Armor Reason: + Easier Jungle + Tankyness

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GLYPHS Magic Resist/Level Reason: + Tankyness + Able to deal with Magic DMG

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QUINTESSENCES Movement Speed Reason: + Initiate + Synergy

This is the runes I'm using on Skarner, and I can't replace them with anything. It's the only way to go IMO.
If you are missing the Quintessences, Skarner is still playable with any Quintessence you want. Movement Speed are utility-runes, and are not giving any "fighting-stats". I would recommend Armor, Health, Attack Speed or Magic Resist.

Masteries

DEFENSIVE TREE I try to think "What do Skarner synergy with playing as an jungler?" Well, I think Tankyness and Movement Speed. If you pick Masteries like this, you should be fine.

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M A S T E R I E S

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UTILITY TREE I try to pick what Skarner needs. You are not supposed to die, so the "time spent dead" is not really a good choice for Skarner IMO. Mana/Level is good to spam your Q, and Movement Speed for synergy. Flash for cooldown and Buff-time is kinda obvious, isn't it?

Summoner Spells

You are jungling. AS A JUNGLER, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PICK SOMETHING ELSE. Please, i don't care if you can clear the jungle without smite. Smite helps you clearing the jungle faster, and to secure Baron and Dragon.


I use Flash on Skarner to do crazy surprise-initiates, and also for chasing or being chased. I know that Skarner I play is really fast, but sometimes it can be good to jump a wall or something like that.

Viable Summoner Spells

When i started playing Skarner i used this instead of Flash. Mainly for the Impale but also because high movement speed on Skarner is strong! But he doesn't have a gapcloser and he needs to get in range to use Impale. Ghost works, but Flash is just a better choice IMO.


I have never played Exhaust on Skarner, but i think it might work as a "opposit" for Ghost. Instead of speeding yourself up, you are slowing enemies. Exhaust is great for ganking, but Skarner already have slow. It works, but Flash is still a better choice IMO.

Skill Sequence

This is for ganking and being a tank. I max Crystal Slash for the slow, and Crystalline Exoskeleton for speed and shield. I pick Impale when i can. Fracture is not a "must have-ability" so I don't start leveling it until level 13.

Crystal Slash

Skarner lashes out, dealing physical damage to all enemies in a small area around him. He charges himself with Crystal Energy for 5 seconds if a unit is struck.
If he casts Crystal Slash again while empowered by Crystal Energy, the ability deals bonus magic damage and slows all targets hit for 2 seconds.

MMMGreat ability for clearing the jungle and farming. But AMAZING for pre-6 ganks. Once you hit the slow on the enemy, you will force a flash, or else you will kill, or your laner will.

Crystalline Exoskeleton

Skarner receives a shield for up to 6 seconds. While the shield is still active his movement speed and attack speed are boosted.

MMMMovement Speed, Attack Speed and Shield. Great for keeping you healthy in the jungle, but also to increase your high tankyness. It will also make your jungling faster. It gives everything Skarner needs!

Fracture

Skarner summons a blast of crystalline energy in a line which deals magic damage to enemies struck and marks them for 6 seconds. If any marked targets receive further damage from Skarner, or if they die when struck by Fracture, Skarner will consume the mark to heal himself. Subsequent marks consumed and unit kills will heal for 50% of the last.

MMMI don't like this as much as i should, I think. It heals you when you deal damage on "marked" enemies or minions.

Impale

Skarner suppresses an enemy champion for 1.75 seconds and deals magic damage to it. During this time, Skarner can move freely and will drag his victim around with him. When the effect ends, Skarner's target will be dealt the same amount of magic damage again.

MMMGreat Ultimate! Good initiate, good ganking, good to shut down carries. It will suck if your opponent gets Quicksilver Sash, but if they don't you are dangerous!

Creeping / Jungling

This is my standard Skarner Jungle-route.
I use Health Pot near Blue/Wraiths.

• Wolfes. Ask for help for faster clearing and to be at blue before spawn. Spam Q.
• Blue. Ask for a leach. Use Smite here. Spam Q.
• Wraiths. Kill them fast. Use Q and W.
• Wolfes. Kill them fast. Use Q and W.
• Red. Use Smite here. Use Q and W.
• Wraiths. Kill them fast. Use Q and W.

After that, you are Level 4 and very able to gank.
I don't like Golems, I take them when I feel i got time for them.
You don't have to go exactly this route, this is how i often go when I'm not counterjungling low-lvl.

No-Smite-Blue-Jungle
This is a good, fast route but pretty much need premade toplane/botlane pending on if you are Blue or Purple team.

• Wolfes. Ask for help for faster clearing and to be at blue before spawn. Spam Q.
• Blue. Ask for a hard leach so you don't need Smite. Spam Q.
• Use W and run to Wraiths.
• Wraiths. Kill them fast. Use Q and W.
• Red. Use Smite here. Use Q and W.

Gank! You should be Lv3 and (still) very able to gank.

Ganking

TOP LANE GANK

THIS COLOR MEANS: Walk here if the ward is placed there.
THIS COLOR MEANS: Walk here if the ward is placed there.

MID LANE GANK

THIS COLOR MEANS: Walk here if the ward is placed there.
THIS COLOR MEANS: Walk here if the ward is placed there.

BOT LANE GANK

THIS COLOR MEANS: Walk here if the ward is placed there.
THIS COLOR MEANS: Walk here if the ward is placed there.
You can use this on top if the lane is pushed there aswell, but walk in from the base/tower.

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Skarner pre-6 ganks is all about slowing your enemies and deal damage. If they used flash, that is still a good gank. If they died, it's a really good gank!

When you hit Level 6, ganking is easy. You don't have to use your ult directly, and in most cases you don't even need to. If you are ganking an champions with high CC and/or jumping abilities you might want to use it early and tell your mates to deal as much damage as possible for the kill, or even stun then the same secound your ultimate turns off.

Results

Me: I don't want to name and shame people, thats why i blurred all names, except from mine.

Mortles:
MetallicToast:
Vanillacy:
oioioi9537
Mike Litorizz
Let me know how you did, and i will paste it on the guide!

Summary

This is it. Hope you think Skarner is a good champion!

Thanks to jhoijhoi! Your guide helped me alot!

It would really help me if you guys spread the word about this guide!
If I help alot of players, I will make other guides for my other champions.

I MADE IT TO THE TOP!
I want to give all my love to everyone who gave me a +1!

Edit: Fixed it for Season 3! I might change some things, but this is how I play atm.