Skarner Jungle Build Guides, Runes, Items, and Abilities

Skarner, the Crystal Vanguard, is a fearsome champion in League of Legends who hails from the crystalline deserts of Shurima. Known for his unparalleled crowd control and the ability to single-handedly dictate the pace of a teamfight, Skarner is a versatile champion that thrives in the jungle role. With a kit centered around control, utility, and mobility, Skarner is a unique pick that rewards players who master his intricate abilities and playstyle.

1. Strengths

• Exceptional Crowd Control: Skarner’s ultimate, Impale, is one of the most impactful single-target suppression abilities in the game. It allows him to isolate key enemy targets and create opportunities for his team.
• Durability: Thanks to Seismic Bastion (W), Skarner can shield himself and reduce incoming damage, making him a reliable frontliner in skirmishes and teamfights.
• Good Objective Control: With his ability to secure neutral objectives like Dragon and Baron, Skarner excels at controlling key areas of the map.
• Consistent DPS: Skarner’s passive, Threads of Vibration, along with Shattered Earth (Q), allows him to deal consistent magic damage over time, particularly against tanky targets.
• High Mobility: Ixtal’s Impact (E) enables Skarner to engage and disengage effectively, giving him the ability to traverse terrain and surprise his opponents.
• His ability to kidnap a carry and then put them in a disadvantageous position allows him to flank enemies with ease. His tankiness prevents him from getting killed immediately.
• His strength increases if he actively tries to clear wards and use the lack of vision to gank enemies. This is due to the amount of pick potential which he has in his kit.
• Can take objectives quite easily. This includes the early void grubs and the Dragons. Keep them warded or secure them before he can!

2. Weaknesses

• Reliant on Flash for Engagements: Without Flash or proper positioning, Skarner’s ability to initiate fights with Impale can be limited.
• Vulnerability to Crowd Control: As a melee champion who relies on diving into the enemy team, Skarner can struggle against champions with high CC or peel.
• Skill Dependency: Effective use of Skarner’s abilities requires strong decision-making and mechanical skill, particularly with his ultimate and E ability.
• Scaling Issues: Skarner’s early game is strong, but he can struggle in late-game scenarios if his team doesn’t capitalize on his initiations.
• Good vision control can make it really difficult for him to gank lanes with his E and Ultimate. He must avoid these warding locations if he wants to get ahead.
• Skarner is prone to CC, which makes using both his E and Ultimate quite difficult. To fully use these abilities, you must look for situations where you cannot be interrupted.
• If the enemy team splits up, or if the frontline is always blocking the enemy carries, it will be hard to use your Ultimate on a carry champion. Using your Ult on a tank isn’t really worth it.

• Mastering Quaking: Maximize Skarner’s passive by weaving auto-attacks and abilities to build up Quaking stacks. Use this to deal substantial max Health magic damage over time, especially against tanks.
• Efficient Usage of Impale: Use your ultimate to target priority enemies like the enemy ADC or mid-laner. Communicate with your team to follow up with burst damage.
• Optimizing W Timing: Cast Seismic Bastion (W) as you engage or take damage to absorb critical hits and slow enemies. This shields you and gives movement speed to secure catches.
• Using E for Engage: Ixtal’s Impact (E) is a powerful tool for surprising enemies and locking them down. Aim to collide with walls after hitting your target for the maximum impact.
• Control the Jungle: Take advantage of Skarner’s early-game strength by invading the enemy jungle or securing early objectives. Use your durability and crowd control to dominate skirmishes.
• Synergize with Allies: Pair Skarner with champions who excel at follow-up damage or provide peel, such as Orianna, Ashe, or Lulu, to maximize his impact in teamfights.

• Q + AA + W + AA + AA: Press Q then AA, W, AA and AA again!
• Q + Q + E +AA + W + AA +AA: Press Q then Q again, then E, AA, W, AA and AA.
• Q + E + AA + Q + AA + R + W + AA + AA: Press Q then E in, AA and Q again. Then AA, R, W, AA and AA to finish.
• FLASH + E + R: Flash then E your enemy before using your R.
• FLASH + R + W: Flash then R and W!

1. Early game

• Focus on farming and hitting level 6 as quickly as you can. You need to hit level 6 as fast as possible to increase your ganking potential.
• Your Ultimate is an incredibly strong tool. Whenever it is up, try to use it to help your allies and get kills.
• Try to secure objectives with your team. If you can, try to keep it warded at all times if you’re not in a position to take it yourself.

2. Mid game

• Continue to pick up and secure jungle camps whenever possible. Not falling behind in the mid-game is crucial as a Jungler, so make sure you continue to farm!
• As you’re a Jungler, you need to try and secure every Drake during the mid-game. Getting them and securing the Dragon Soul for your team will increase your chances of winning the game.
• Look for picks with your team. If you can pick someone off, make the call for Baron or Dragon to further your lead.

3. Late game

• In the late game, continue to look for plays with your Ultimate and E. If you pull the carries into your team, then just focus them. If you don’t pull the squishies in, just peel and protect for your allies.
• To make getting on the enemy backline easier, group with your team but stay off to the side. If you flank from an unwarded bush, the enemy will find it harder to react to your all-in. Avoid splitting or being away from your team in the late game as the enemy will force a fight while you’re gone.
• Play around your Ultimate cooldown in the late game. Avoid team fighting when your Ultimate is down to ensure that you’re useful in team fights!

Skarner’s unique blend of crowd control, mobility, and durability makes him a formidable champion in the right hands. While he does require a strategic approach to make the most of his abilities, Skarner rewards players who can effectively manage his kit and lead their team to victory. Whether you’re dragging an enemy carry into your team or securing game-winning objectives, Skarner is a force to be reckoned with on the Rift.

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Good luck to you! – Cheng