I feel like It is better to start Tear and get Dorans Shield as a first back, but only if it is actually necessary. Just poke with e, play safe and get necessary CS, drop what isnt safe. In essence, with any character that builds tear. Either buy tear start, or not at all. Stack early, or else it is a waste of gold and time. (Edit: Im not saying the build is bad, it certainly works but only in a; Specific matchups in my opinion and b; You gotta experiment with either dropping Dorans or Dorans first back. Either way, start Tear, the sooner you get it the better. Also, I think a more traditional tank Skarner would fair better, especially with the new items such as Fimblewinter and the new Demonic Embrace. edit 2: In fact there is an arguement to be said for, same runes but instead of your items primarily going: Sunfire, Fimblewinter, Demonic Embrace and Berserker Grieves. With the runes combod with Berserker grieves you will very quickly get max immolation stacks, combod with demonic and finishing off with a hp steroid like Warmogs or a mixed tank item like stoneplate to help you out with resistances (Even though HP is by far the hieghest value in terms of tank stats due to MR being borderline worthless and Armor easy to come by.) Or if all AD/AP Randuins Omen/Frozen Heart or Force of Nature last item and you will freaking delete targets and still be tanky enough for team fights.

Final edit; I am going to be very honest, I am new to skarner, very newfound interest because I like off meta top picks. (Mainly play Ammumu, Fiddlesticks top sometimes singed and Singed or Ammumu if I am mid, support or jungle.) But, I do feel even with my limited Skarner exposure I can mentally map far better builds then most the ones ive seen on here even looking at last season... No flame but WTF is the Skarner community doing?

Skarner is a silly guy

Nice skarner build!

I feel like the build lacks healing, is there anything else i could buy to make extended team fighting and sustain while spliting less horrible? xd