Welcome to my guide on Skarner. You may have noticed there are two builds: whatever I write in blue will be for the first build, likewise for the second in red.

1st- Tanky AP: Personally I prefer this build more because it allows you to carry your team very nicely and nuke heavily in This build makes Skarner like a tanky dps based off AP. It makes Skarner do tons of burst damage throughout the game, due to Ixtal's Impact, and a nice steady flow of damage like a tanky DPS due to Lich Bane proc and your Shattered Earth.

2nd- Tanky DPS: This build gives a lot more health and durability to Skarner, at the cost of some burst damage. Meanwhile, it also gives Skarner great chasing ability with the effect from Frozen Mallet, the boost from Lich Bane, and the active from Shurelya's Battlesong. It also allows Skarner to 1v1 a lot easier from Guinsoo's Rageblade.

I recommend using the first build as an introduction. It allows you to do a lot of damage without really knowing what you're doing, or really trying. Otherwise, use it against teams that are squishy and have low magic resist, allowing your nuke and DPS combo to inflict as much damage as possible.

I recommend using the second build if you have played a couple games with Skarner and feel comfortable with his skills. This build is useful against heavy nukes ( Veigar, LeBlanc, Annie) that don't have extraordinary escaping power. Also, this is helpful when you're team is squishy or in need of cc.

For the first build I always max out my Ixtal's Impact first because it is a great nuke, can provide a free heal, and is my main tool of harassment. I then up my Shattered Earth next because as soon as you reach Sheen it starts to become a great source of DPS. I save Seismic Bastion for last because it has a couple uses early game, but not as useful as your other skills.

For your DPS build I max out Shattered Earth first because it is your main chasing skill and also adds to your auto-attacks. I always like to have it maxed by the time I finish Phage because of the stacking slows. I like to up Seismic Bastion secondly because it allows you to chase with more run speed, more ATS, and a shield. Your Ixtal's Impact is good late game because with the little AP you will have it provides a nice heal to keep up the push.

What you are trying to do is harass, harass, harass. Your Ixtal's Impact is your best harassment tool, and if they get too close make sure you chase 'em off with Shattered Earth. If you start to run low, run up to the minion wave, throw a Ixtal's Impact through them all, and then Shattered Earth when you are close to as many affected minions as possible. This will provide a nice heal that should keep you in lane for as long as you want. Whatever you do, do not spam your Shattered Earth for farming. It will drain your mana and leave you without mana for your Ixtal's Impact.

Your job in lane is to just last hit, and zone your opponents out of the wave. You can zone them by making it look like you will attack by activating Seismic Bastion and start running towards them. This will make them back off, and if they come back, hit them with your Ixtal's Impact a couple times. This should be enough to zone out any melee character. If you are facing off with a ranged opponent, constantly go after them, make them afraid of you and your bursts. Eventually it will lead to them being afraid, or you netting a kill because of harassment.

Thanks for reading my guide, remember to vote up if you liked it or did well with it :). Comment if you have something constructive to say, and if you didn't like the guide, comment why instead of voting down please. Kthnxbye.