After a couple of matches whit Skaner i am updating my guide.

I changed Skarner from a AP champ to a DPS champ whit the focus on movementspeed and doing high dmg end game. (if you can complete the build before the game ends)

The main reason for Flash is escape and jump in option. Ghost is also a great choice but remember to take the mastery also.


Just great for Skarner, slowing the enemy making him an easier kill or grab for your ulti. Also always a great support choice.


Always a great choice for Skarner making him even faster even in combo whit Seismic Bastion

For Marks i use Greater Mark of Attack Speed this for a nice attackspeed bonus. Since you want to be spamming your skills late game a little attackspeed boost is always welcome. Giving you a nice total of 15% boost.

For Seals is use Greater Seal of Armor giving you a nice amount of armor. Early game you will be harder to kill and will help you gain some more minion kills and take some punishment.

For Glyphs i use Greater Glyph of Ability Power giving me a nice amount of magic resist. It will give you a nice amount of early game def. Also because of this you will be a lot more tankier.

For Quints i use Greater Quintessence of Desolation for some armor penetration. In combination whit your masteries you will have a nice amount armor penetration early game.

I will be testing in the future: Greater Quintessence of Movement Speed not sure if needed. IF someone has tested this lemme know the effect. Skarner is already quite fast, so not sure if needed.

For masteries i go 9 offense and 21 in defense:

Offense
In offense i use the Cripple so my Exhaust will get a nice boost. Also maxing the Deadliness for that small extra crit change. Since you will be using crits late game. Maxing Alacrity for that 4% attackspeed boost that will come in handy later. The other points go in Sunder for some additional armor penetration that will work well whit Greater Quintessence of Movement Speed.

Defense
Maxing both Resistance and Hardiness for a good amount of early game def. The other points go into Harden Skin for some punishment and Veteran's Scars for some early game health boost. The other points go into Ardor for some bonus attackspeed. In combo whit Alacrity you will get a 8% attackspeed just from your masteries. Last but not least the remaining points go into: Tenacity for taking some more punishment.

There are a lot of ways you can go whit the skills of Skarner. The focus lays on spamming skills and not Ixtal's Impact early game the skill is great but when it's midgame you see it's almost useless. And only good for some health, but since you will be using Hextech Gunblade the skills healing factor will be even more useless.


Your great passive ability. Because of this you will be able to have almost no cooldowns. Being able to use your skills a lot more and doing your ulti. Being able to spam all your close combat skills and being a true beast when it comes to attack speed.


Your area of effect skill. The damage if based on your ATK item and the bonus damage that last for x sec is based on your AP. Also a neat little extra is that you will slow enemies by hitting them while after casting this skill.


Your mean escape and grab boost skill. It will give you a great movementspeed and attackspeed boost. And on top of that it will also give you a shield that is based on your AP. Also keep in mind if you use this skill you will be able to cast it again soon if you use it in close combat.


Your main damage skill. You will be able to early harass and heal yourself a little. In combination whit Shattered Earth you will be able to heal yourself a descent amount if used against farming minions.


Your big OP ulti or what people where calling it before it got out. You will be able to do some descent damage whit it and grab champ. Just keep in mind your move doesn't last that long so it's all about the mili-seconds. Boosting your movement speed whit Seismic Bastion and Ghost can have some great results. Also Flash won't work but Zilean and other champs that give you movementspeed can have a great effect on your move and it's success.

For items the focus lays on movement/attackspeed and doing some great damage. (late game)


One of the best items in the game and a great item for Skarner. You will gain some attackspeed, movementspeed, AP, DMG, Slow and all in 1 little (expensive) item. Just buy it!


Since all Skarner his skills use AP and you will do damage while hitting enemies you want both AP and DMG and Hextech Gunblade has both! You are gaining some great amount of lifesteal meaning if you just farm a little you will be full health in no time. And whit the little bonus of Ixtal's Impact you will be gaining even faster. Just hit minions and spam Shattered Earth it works wonders mid/late game.


More movementspeed for Skarner this will make you an excellent chaser and you will pull even faster whit Impale. Also the more change the will not be able to outrun you when you must flee.


This is item depends on the situation. If the enemy team is AP heavy use Force of Nature for some magic resistance and even better: movementspeed. If the enemy team uses a lot of DPS please go whit the: Frozen Heart get a nice amount of mana and you will be able to cast your skills even faster. Both great option, and giving a good amount of defense for Skarner


The faster you are the better, whit Phantom Dancer you will get more movementspeed and attackspeed. And to top it all you gain some additional critical rate. What will be great when you build your Infinity Edge


Last item is the badboy Infinity Edge. This will make you a beast in combination whit Phantom Dancer next to being fast you will gain heal and do great critical dmg. Whit a critical rate of 70% and a good amount of attackspeed you will be a force to be reckon whit.

Early game
You aren't a big mean beast yet. So use Shattered Earth to farm some minions and slow enemies and assist whit killing them. Use your Seismic Bastion for maximum effect. Once you reach level 6 you will be able to empale your enemies and if possible pull them towards the turret.

Mid game
Once you reach around level 12 you will be a much better chaser and be able to slow enemies greatly. So don't forget to use your Shattered Earth to slow them and Seismic Bastion to gain some movementspeed. Always focus on the weak and when in teamfights just pick the weak one (and let your team know) and use Impale to focus the target. For some good impale tips please check: this guide who has some great tips. Also don't be afraid to hit enemies since you will be doing some damage. Don't forget to use your HextechGunblade his ability to slow enemies and go in for the kill.

Late game
You will be now a much better killer and chaser, having a good amount of lifesteal and armor. Always focus the weak character first and let your team know. Use Impale if needed but don't over use it when not needed. There are many characters that can easily block this skill. Whit the help of the might Infinity Edge you will be able to do some great amount of damage.

I am sure Skarner isn't the best character to jungle whit. Laning can be great and there are even some solo-laning option. (when facing the right opp) Ill update in the future after some more testing. Please lemme know what you guys find, and if you got any tips ill update them.

Updated: 14/08/2011
Changed the build, items/masteries/runes