Good patterns
- Combines damage and durability in committed skirmishes or extended exchanges.
- Creates space through durability, control or a reliable front-line threat.
Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1
Reference patch 16.20.1
Skarner
the Primordial Sovereign
Skarner is a durable champion who creates space through control, protection or a committed front line. This overview keeps the explanation practical and leaves patch-sensitive numbers to Riot's structured data and the current in-game tooltip.
Usual roleJungle◆ClassTank · Fighter
5DifficultyMedium · 5/10
◎Basic attacksMeleeMelee basic attacks · 150 range.
◈Damage profileMixed damageThe kit can deal meaningful physical and magic damage. One resistance does not answer every part of it.
#Reference patch16.20.1
Strengths and limits
What Skarner does well, and what can go wrong
These are kit-level patterns, not a promise that every lane or matchup plays the same way.
Limits to respect
- Can be worn down or controlled before reaching the range where the kit is strongest.
- Durability does not make an unsupported engage safe or guarantee enough damage to finish a target.
- Basic attacks require close access, so enemy range, slows and displacement can deny a clean trade.
Riot ally tips
Use these while learning the championBasic attacks apply Quaking. Stick to your target and re-apply it for maximum damage.
Capturing Crystal Spires before attempting neutral objectives or team fights around them improves Skarner's performance in said fights dramatically.
Impale is extremely powerful when you use it to position an enemy so your allies can attack them.
Riot opponent tips
What an opponent is told to watch forIxtal's Impact can be stopped by any stun, root, or knock-up. Save a key cooldown if he's coming for a gank!
Impale can be dodged. Use Flash or another ability to get out of reach.
Skarner's sustained damage can eventually take you down. Be careful not to ignore him.
Practical champion reading
How to read Skarner in a real fight
Use these patterns to ask better questions before choosing an item, target or commitment. They describe the kit, not a guaranteed result.
Meaningful mixed pressure
One resistance may answer only part of the kit. Check the current build and the rest of the opposing team before specialising defensively.
Track the complete ability cycle
Do not judge the champion from one button. Watch which setup, payoff and escape tools are available before choosing a trade or commitment.
Needs close access for basic attacks
Range, slows, displacement and terrain can deny the clean contact this champion wants. Plan the route in as carefully as the damage after arrival.
Create space and absorb attention
The kit is usually most valuable when it controls an entrance, protects a carry or begins a fight allies can actually reach. Durability does not make an isolated engage safe.
Identify the exact movement restriction
Tenacity can shorten only eligible control. Displacements, airborne effects and repeated slows need their own positioning, blocking or movement answer.
Check whether recovery changes the fight
Anti-heal or anti-shielding is situational. Buy it only when the effect is materially protecting targets and your champion can apply the answer reliably.
Mana and cooldowns both matter
A spell being available does not mean the complete sequence is sustainable. Watch the resource bar as well as the setup and escape cooldowns.
Defensive item reference
What can help against Skarner?
Start with the threat that is actually affecting the match. These are conditional comparisons, not an automatic counter build.
DEFENSIVE BOOTS
Mercury's Treads usually fit better
Magic resistance addresses the broad damage profile, while Tenacity can shorten reducible control.
Choose Plated Steelcaps instead only when physical basic attacks from this champion or the rest of the team are the larger repeated threat.Normal Draft and Ranked role map
Where Skarner fits on Summoner's Rift
Each lane is assessed separately. Open a role to reach its queue-specific build and matchup preparation.
TopUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Skarner is normally played Jungle and does not currently have a reviewed Top route. Top usually needs independent laning, durable trading or reliable side-lane pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
JunglePrimary role
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Skarner has an established clear and map plan that can function without lane income while contesting camps and objectives.
MidUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Skarner is normally played Jungle and does not currently have a reviewed Mid route. Mid usually needs solo-lane safety plus wave control, roaming or reliable burst pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
BotUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Skarner is normally played Jungle and does not currently have a reviewed Bot route. Bot usually needs dependable duo-lane scaling and sustained damage with shared early pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
SupportUnestablished route
Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Skarner is normally played Jungle and does not currently have a reviewed Support route. Support usually needs useful engage, peel or utility while operating on low gold income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
Kit reference
Skarner abilities
Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.
Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive
Threads of Vibration
What it doesSkarner's Attacks, Shattered Earth, Upheaval, and Impale, apply Quaking. At max stacks of Quaking, enemies take max Health magic damage over its duration.
Practical readThreads of Vibration is an automatic part of the kit involving damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.
Maximum-health interaction
This effect references a maximum-health value. Check whether the current tooltip uses the caster's or the target's health before comparing damage or protection.
Q
Q ability
Shattered Earth / Upheaval
What it doesSkarner rips a boulder from the earth that empowers his attacks and can be thrown as a powerful projectile.
Practical readShattered Earth / Upheaval is a ranged cast involving its listed effect. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.
Cooldown8/6.75/5.5/4.25/3 secCost30Listed range400 units
W
W ability
Seismic Bastion
What it doesSkarner gains a shield and creates an earthquake whose shockwave damages and slows foes.
Practical readSeismic Bastion contributes a slowing effect and protection or sustain. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown10/9/8/7/6 secCost60/65/70/75/80Listed range700 units
Protection
The protection or sustain is part of the cast's value. Compare its timing with incoming damage rather than reading only the offensive effect.
E
E ability
Ixtal's Impact
What it doesSkarner 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.
Practical readIxtal's Impact contributes hard crowd control and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown22/21/20/19/18 secCost50/55/60/65/70Listed range1700 units
Cast commitment
This cast has a wind-up, charge or channel. Movement, interruption or a changing target state can matter before the effect completes.
R
Ultimate
Impale
What it doesSkarner's tails lash forward to suppress enemy champions. Once suppressed, the victims will be dragged along by Skarner as he moves around.
Practical readImpale contributes hard crowd control. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown120/105/90 secCost100Listed range625 units
Levels 1–18
Skarner · Health / Mana · Abilities
Base values exclude items, runes, temporary buffs and mode-specific modifiers. Cooldowns are the listed base cooldown before ability haste.
Cooldown Data Dragon 16.20.1
Basic abilityShattered Earth / Upheaval
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 18 secRank 26.75 secRank 35.5 secRank 44.25 secRank 53 sec
Basic abilitySeismic Bastion
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 110 secRank 29 secRank 38 secRank 47 secRank 56 sec
Basic abilityIxtal's Impact
Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Rank 122 secRank 221 secRank 320 secRank 419 secRank 518 sec
UltimateImpale
First rank becomes available at level 6; later ranks normally become available at levels 11 and 16.
Rank 1120 secRank 2105 secRank 390 sec
Open every levelHealth and mana from level 1 to 18
| Level | Health | Mana | Ability milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 630 | 320 Mana | Choose the first basic ability |
| 2 | 709 | 349 Mana | Add another basic ability or rank |
| 3 | 792 | 379 Mana | Add another basic ability or rank |
| 4 | 879 | 411 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 5 | 970 | 444 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 6 | 1,065 | 478 Mana | First ultimate rank normally available |
| 7 | 1,163 | 514 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 8 | 1,265 | 551 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 9 | 1,371 | 590 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 10 | 1,481 | 630 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 11 | 1,595 | 671 Mana | Second ultimate rank normally available |
| 12 | 1,713 | 714 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 13 | 1,835 | 758 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 14 | 1,960 | 804 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 15 | 2,089 | 851 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 16 | 2,222 | 899 Mana | Final ultimate rank normally available |
| 17 | 2,359 | 949 Mana | Spend one ability point |
| 18 | 2,500 | 1,000 Mana | Spend one ability point |
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Turn the profile into a pre-game plan
Choose a queue-aware build, compare a lane opponent, or return to the full champion library.