How to play Skarner: combos, tips and builds

Combos to practise with Skarner

AA = basic attack · EAA = empowered attack · 1/2/3 = cast or stage. Arrows indicate order, not instant presses.

Training sequence 1

Begin with the first action, confirm its effect, then progress through the sequence. Stop if its prerequisite or retreat route is missing.

Checks before practising

Use Q while carrying the rock and weave attacks around W.

Game plan for Skarner

Early game

Use a completed control spell to create a short trade, then reset your position. Keep enough health to contest the next wave or objective.

Team fights

Choose between starting a fight and protecting your carry. Hold a control spell for an enemy diver when your back line is vulnerable.

Mistake to avoid

Engaging outside your allies’ reach and spending every control spell at once.

Learn Skarner abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.

Learn the champion’s kit

In the practice tool, cast each ability separately and check its range, targeting and effect. Read the passive before practising a sequence: it can change how attacks and spells work together.

P · Threads of Vibration

Skarner's Attacks, Shattered Earth, Upheaval, and Impale, apply Quaking. At max stacks of Quaking, enemies take max Health magic damage over its duration.

Q · Shattered Earth / Upheaval

Skarner rips a boulder from the earth that empowers his attacks and can be thrown as a powerful projectile.

Rank-one cooldown : 8 seconds

W · Seismic Bastion

Skarner gains a shield and creates an earthquake whose shockwave damages and slows foes.

Rank-one cooldown : 10 seconds

E · Ixtal's Impact

Skarner charges forward and passes through terrain. If he collides with a champion or large monster, he'll slam them into the next wall he hits to damage and stun them.

Rank-one cooldown : 22 seconds

R · Impale

Skarner's tails lash forward to suppress enemy champions. Once suppressed, the victims will be dragged along by Skarner as he moves around.

Rank-one cooldown : 120 seconds

Abilities: official game data 16.20.1. Descriptions may change with balance updates.

Practice before ranked

First test each spell against a target dummy. Identify the skill you need to escape or survive before spending it offensively. Check alternate forms or empowered casts in the game too. Practise a sequence slowly, then repeat it while moving.

Before you engage

Check the enemy’s control and escape spells, your health and resources, ally position and retreat path. An available ultimate is not by itself a reason to commit.

Review your first games

Review one missed spell, one unnecessary death and one lost objective. Practise the specific mistake before adding complex sequences. Start with the role you intend to play.

Choose your role and build

Compare the build, rune page, skill priority and matchups for your role. Later purchases depend on the enemy team.

Skarner Jungle · Open the build

These guides explain gameplay basics. Build pages contain the selected patch, role and rank statistics.