01 / Skarner
At a glance
Learn Skarner abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.
02
Strengths & weaknesses
Tools to play around
- Shattered Earth / UpheavalRewards correctly timed empowered actions.
- Seismic BastionProvides protection when its conditions are met.
- Ixtal's ImpactContributes damage to the champion’s rotation.
What can go wrong
- Shattered Earth / UpheavalWatch the activation condition and attack timing. Practise the empowered action separately so it is not lost during a rushed sequence.
- Seismic BastionMatch the protective effect to the moment damage arrives. Read who it protects and how long it lasts before relying on it.
- A completed combo is only useful when your position, resources and follow-up are safe.
03
Abilities & tips
Open an ability to read its effect and a practical use tip.
PThreads 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.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
QShattered Earth / Upheaval
Skarner rips a boulder from the earth that empowers his attacks and can be thrown as a powerful projectile.
Watch the activation condition and attack timing. Practise the empowered action separately so it is not lost during a rushed sequence.
WSeismic Bastion
Skarner gains a shield and creates an earthquake whose shockwave damages and slows foes.
Match the protective effect to the moment damage arrives. Read who it protects and how long it lasts before relying on it.
EIxtal'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.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
RImpale
Skarner's tails lash forward to suppress enemy champions. Once suppressed, the victims will be dragged along by Skarner as he moves around.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
Skarner combos: execution and timing
AA = basic attack · EAA = empowered attack · 1/2/3 = cast stage. Follow the order, not instant key presses.
Follow up with Shattered Earth / Upheaval
- Q
- AA
- W
- AA
With Skarner, start with Shattered Earth / Upheaval, then continue through Basic attack → Seismic Bastion → Basic attack. Use Shattered Earth / Upheaval to prepare the next attack; let that attack connect before moving to the next action.
05
Game plan by role
Skarner · Jungle
Practise a repeatable clear before adding risky invades. Check nearby lane positions before entering the river or committing to a gank.
Prepare objectives by resetting, checking vision and moving with nearby allies. Avoid starting an objective solely because it has spawned.
Keep Smite and your escape plan in mind around contested objectives. Choose between engaging, covering a carry and keeping access to the objective.
Before your next fight, check: Shattered Earth / Upheaval · Impale · Combos
06
Matchup preparation
Compare opponents in the build for the role you are actually playing. Then check their key control, escape and defensive spells before choosing your trade.
07
Practice checklist
- Cast each ability alone and identify its range, target conditions and stopping point.
- Practise the first sequence slowly. Repeat it while moving, without skipping the conditions shown on its card.
- After each attempt, identify the spell you would still have available to defend or retreat.
08
Skarner · Builds & runes
Choose a role, then select your rank on the build page for runes, items, skill order and matchup statistics.