Hello! My name is N4MBA. I have called myself sp00fz, MustacheUnicorn, Nambawan, NambawanFFS and countless other things. I play on EU West. I used to jungle back in season 2, but even though I moved from the forest to the mid lane, if I get autofilled jungler, Skarner is one of my favorites. Since I don't actively play the game anymore, I wouldn't read deep into this guide. Play him, try him out and you might like him. I relly did back then. I will keep this guide updated up to date, but won't try to fix every piece of text or image.MMM}

I mean, you should totally check out my stream: https://www.twitch.tv/N4MBA

MMMSkarner is an amazing champion, and takes the role of Jungler/Tank/Initiator. I have played Skarner for over 500 games, and I think I have mastered him well. I think that I'll highlight a game sometime while I'm streaming (will probably be in Swedish, but you can see what I do and if anyone writes in chat in English, I will answer in English.). I am gonna play as a jungle main in Season 8. I stream on Twitch! Please give me a follow to support my stream. Skarner, The Crystal Vanguard.MMM}

I hope you will find this guide helpful. Please leave a comment and rate!MMM}

Like I said, I don't really play the game anymore unless we get a 5-stack Aram lobby going on or something like that. I do however watch the competitive scene, and yeah it's been a while since we have seen Skarner, right?

He's kinda steady below average. I believe he's outdated but I also don't play league.
For me he kinda works every patch, and that probably goes for all the champs.

If you really learned to play a champion, that champion should work. Obviously it will get worse or better, but the most important thing is to learn your strenghts and weaknesses, and matchups. If you know what you can do and when vs. any champion, your champ works.

I only play arams now, and whenever I get Skarner I know that it's gonna be a pretty good game.

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


New Lore:
Newest Lore:

PROS ¤ Good damage during whole game. ¤ Tanky + Shield. ¤ Supress-ultimate. ¤ Ixtal's Impact is changed, great for ganks.

SPACE

P R O S - C O N S

SPACE

CONS ¤ Takes time to master. ¤ Hard to get strong if shutted down early. ¤ Have to be in control of the game. ¤ If falling behind, you won't do anything.

WHEN

Your team lacks a beefy fighter.
Your team lacks initiations.
Your team lacks cancellers and heavy CC.
Your team have a tank, but need peeling.

---

WHY

Skarner is strong and can cancel channeling
spells like Katarina and Nunu & Willump.
He's also a jungler that works great with many teams.
He got a great initiate and can pick out
your enemies. He won't die for nothing and
will deal a significant amount of damage.

---

WHEN NOT, AND WHY

If your team already have a fighter, you won't
need Skarner. Tank top is really strong right now,
so most of the time you can play Skarner.
You will have a good amount of damage, and beefy-ness.
If your team already have a jungler, don't pick
Skarner. He's not good in lane IMO.
(not really true, just my opinion.)

Here's the thing. One game is never the same as the next one. Some items works really well some games, and doesn't work the next game. Read what the items do, and buy accordingly. Even Morellonomicon can work sometimes if you are up against tons of heals. Before I get comments about this statement. No, you are not supposed to get Morellonomicon but that's not my point. What I'm trying to say is, read items. What do you need? What do the team need? Build after you figure that out. I have picked some items that works great with Skarner most of the time, but don't think other items is good aswell. Read up on items, learn what they do and buy items accordingly. This will help you become a better player. Some pros have issues with thit aswell. I mean, did anyone else notice the Morellonomicon spam? Wait, did they just read the first part on my Item-page?

Honestly? I checked out the stats on Skarner and found out these two pages to be used most. I don't play the game anymore, kinda. I do play arams sometimes with my friends but, that's not the point. Phase Rush will keep you on the target if you get a few Qs in after hitting E, but it's not like that's hard on Skarner anyway. Conquerer's is great overall, and fits him really well. I think. It's pretty much just an hunch, but dude try it out. Let me know in the comments.

You are jungling. 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.

This is for ganking and being a tank. I max Ixtal's Impact for the broken cc, and Seismic Bastion for speed and shield. I pick Impale when I can. Shattered Earth is fine where it is, but with the position Skarner is in right now, you want the huge stun.

Shattered Earth

Skarner deals physical damage to all enemies within range, also causing subsequent uses of Shattered Earth within 4 seconds to deal bonus magic damage if he hits an enemy.

MMMIt's pretty dope. Not the greatest ability in the game but I mean, we gotta use what we have here, right? Max it last, since it's only used for damage, and you'll be tanky enough for the camps anyways. AAs reduce the cooldown by 0.25 against minions and monsters, but reduce with 1s if you're hitting a champion. It used to be the pick back in the earlier seasons but not worth it anymore.

Seismic Bastion

Skarner shields himself for up to 6 seconds, gaining bonus movement speed that increases by an additional 8/10/12/14/16% over 3 seconds while the shield holds

MMMMovement 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! The movementspeed is pretty much your only way to catch enemies, and that's not really enough but like I said, we gotta use what we have here people. It's not a bad ability.

Ixtal's Impact

Skarner launches a blast of energy forward in a line that deals magic damage and Slow icon slows all enemies hit for 2.5 seconds, as well as and marking them with Crystal Venom for 5 seconds. Ixtal's Impact's missile slows down every time it hits an enemy champion.
Skarner's next basic attack against a target marked with Crystal Venom consumes the mark to deal them bonus physical damage and Stun icon stun them for 1.25 second.

MMMIt's really good for ganking. I love what they did with this ability. Get this early and max it as soon as you can. The slow gets better for each level. It also get higher damage but that's not like.. You know, you are playing Skarner here you are not gonna burst anyone.

Impale

Skarner rears his stinger, rooting his target for 0.25 seconds as he brings it down, dealing 60% AD physical damage, magic damage and suppressing them for 1.75 seconds. At the end of the duration, the target takes the same damage again.

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

Standard Route

Dude, I have no idea. I don't play the game anymore. Check other guides or streamers for this kind of information.

I would probably start botside and get creeps on the way. I'm sorry, I don't know what you are supposed to do. Don't forget the ward-things in the river. Super important!

MetallicToast:
Vanillacy:
oioioi9537

Let me know how you did, and i will paste it on the guide!

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!

2020 Edit: Man, I think I should start playing again to get this guide to start making sense.

2022 Edit: Ok so I didn't play again, and I still haven't been up to date, but I still come in from time to time to update the guide. I wouldn't really read into it, but just use it as a starting position to learn the champ. I think he's really fun to play and I will always enjoy playing him whenever I'm playing arams with my friends. Cool champ, I love the design and everything, but man. Riot do him dirty sometimes.