Top 5 Skarner Counters in League of Legends

Skarner was one of the least-picked legends in League of Legends, and was voted to get a complete makeover by League of Legends gamers. And so, Riot Games listened – introduced a new reworked Skarner, a rework which made him tanky and deadly.

Riot Games not only gave him an entire visual and skill rework but also made his lore way better, Skarner lore that is actually scary.

Before we dive into the top 5 Skarner counters in League of Legends, let’s go through some extra information.

Annoying Moves – Skarner Counters Love to Tackle

Passive – Threads of Vibration

Skarner’s attacks and abilities—Shattered Earth, Upheaval, and Impale—apply a Quaking stack to enemies for 4 seconds, refreshing with additional hits and stacking up to three times. Once three stacks are reached, the target takes magic damage based on a percentage of their maximum health over the duration. Against monsters, this damage is capped at a fixed value.

Why It Stands Out: Threads of Vibration makes Skarner a formidable foe in prolonged fights. The stacking mechanic forces enemies, even Skarner counters, to think twice before engaging him for extended periods, especially tank champions who typically rely on their bulk. This pressure changes how opponents approach trades and fights, creating a tense dynamic where every second counts. It’s not just about dealing damage; it’s about Skarner’s ability to punish anyone who underestimates his staying power.

Q – Shattered Earth / Upheaval

With Shattered Earth, Skarner’s next three attacks gain increased damage, attack speed, and range. On the third strike, he deals bonus damage and applies a slow. Upheaval allows Skarner to recast this ability, throwing a projectile that explodes on contact, dealing similar damage and applying the same slow.

Why It Stands Out: This ability’s flexibility gives Skarner an edge in different scenarios. Enhanced melee strikes make him a threat up close, while the ranged recast forces opponents to maintain careful positioning. The slowing effect on both versions of the ability disrupts escapes and chases, adding a layer of unpredictability to his playstyle. Skarner’s opponents must remain constantly vigilant, as he can adapt to the situation in real-time.

W – Seismic Bastion

Skarner activates a shield and releases a shockwave around him, dealing damage and slowing nearby enemies.

Why It Stands Out: Seismic Bastion adds durability and control to Skarner’s kit, making him a versatile engager. The shield gives him resilience, while the area-wide slow hinders enemy movement. This ability is especially valuable in skirmishes or team fights, where disrupting enemy formations can turn the tide in his favor. Seismic Bastion ensures Skarner remains a constant presence in the thick of battle. Also, this move pisses Skarner counters alot, as it gives Skarner a moment to run away if possible with his E.

E – Ixtal’s Impact

Skarner charges forward, gaining slow immunity and ignoring terrain. If he collides with an enemy champion or large monster, he suppresses them while gaining movement speed. If he then slams the target into terrain, they take physical damage, are stunned, and the cooldown of this ability is partially refunded.

Why It Stands Out: Ixtal’s Impact is the ultimate engage tool. Skarner’s ability to ignore terrain and suppress targets makes him a nightmare for priority champions and Skarner counters who rely on positioning. The terrain collision mechanic adds a layer of strategy, as opponents must avoid being cornered. This skill isn’t just about crowd control; it’s about how Skarner dictates the terms of a fight, isolating key enemies and neutralizing their impact.

R – Impale

Skarner strikes in a cone, impaling up to three enemy champions, suppressing them for a brief period and dealing magic damage. If successful, he gains bonus movement speed. When used during Shattered Earth, it automatically triggers Upheaval.

Why It Stands Out: Impale transforms Skarner into a team fight powerhouse. The ability to suppress multiple enemies including Skarner counters disrupts coordinated strategies, giving his team a significant advantage. The added movement speed allows Skarner to reposition quickly or chase down vulnerable targets. This ultimate is a game-changer that forces opponents to rethink their positioning, as one well-timed Impale can completely alter the flow of a battle.

Top 5 Skarner Counters

After reviewing multiple legends, Gaming Tech Series has finalized a list of the top 5 Skarner counters.

Shyvana – #1 Skarner Counters

Shyvana’s ability to thrive in extended fights directly counters Skarner’s strength in prolonged engagements. Her Dragon Form provides exceptional mobility and area-of-effect damage, allowing her to keep Skarner at bay while dealing substantial damage to him and his team. Skarner’s reliance on closing the gap to apply his abilities is mitigated by Shyvana’s ranged poke and ability to disengage effectively when needed. Additionally, her passive rewards her for focusing on objectives, making her a stronger presence in the jungle compared to Skarner.

Shyvana’s natural tankiness from her build paths and passive bonus resistances allows her to shrug off Skarner’s damage and sustain herself through fights. This resilience forces Skarner into a defensive position, as he struggles to outlast her in one-on-one skirmishes. Her focus on area control and consistent damage punishes Skarner’s attempts to isolate targets, making her a challenging matchup and #1 on the Skarner Counters list.

Udyr – #2 Skarner Counters

Udyr’s relentless pressure and sustained damage make him a tough opponent for Skarner. With the ability to switch between stances, Udyr can adapt to any situation, whether it’s mitigating damage with his Turtle Stance or dealing burst and sustained damage through Phoenix and Tiger Stances. His mobility allows him to engage or disengage on his terms, making it difficult for Skarner to secure key targets with his ultimate.

In jungle matchups, Udyr’s faster clear speed and ability to invade effectively give him the upper hand. He can dominate the early game by stealing camps and setting Skarner behind in gold and experience. This advantage snowballs as the game progresses, where Udyr’s raw stats and utility outpace Skarner’s limited toolkit.

Master Yi – #3 Skarner Counters

Master Yi’s high burst damage and immunity to crowd control through Alpha Strike and Highlander make him a formidable counter to Skarner. Yi’s ability to quickly delete priority targets in team fights renders Skarner’s initiation less impactful, as Yi can clean up fights even if Skarner lands his ultimate. Additionally, Yi’s sustain through Meditate allows him to recover from skirmishes and stay on the map longer than Skarner.

Skarner’s reliance on crowd control to secure kills is neutralized by Yi’s Highlander, which makes him immune to slows and grants him the mobility needed to dodge abilities. This advantage in one-on-one fights forces Skarner to play defensively, limiting his ability to impact the game.

Lillia – #4 Skarner Counters

Lillia’s mobility and kiting potential make her a challenging matchup for Skarner. Her ability to move swiftly while dealing damage over time punishes Skarner’s lack of gap closers outside of Ixtal’s Impact. Additionally, her Dream-Laden Bough passive applies consistent damage to Skarner, forcing him to reconsider prolonged engagements.

In team fights, Lillia’s area-of-effect crowd control through Lilting Lullaby can neutralize Skarner’s attempts to engage. Her ability to weave in and out of combat while applying damage ensures that she remains a constant threat, even if Skarner manages to isolate a target. This combination of mobility and disruption makes her a significant counter.

Warwick – #5 Skarner Counters

Warwick’s sustain and crowd control make him a difficult opponent for Skarner to deal with. His ability to heal off his abilities allows him to outlast Skarner in skirmishes, while his fear from Primal Howl can interrupt Skarner’s engages. Warwick’s ultimate, Infinite Duress, provides a reliable way to lock down Skarner, preventing him from initiating effectively.

Warwick’s early-game pressure and dueling potential give him an advantage in jungle matchups. His ability to hunt low-health enemies with Blood Hunt ensures that Skarner cannot overextend without being punished. Warwick’s sustain and crowd control make him a constant threat, forcing Skarner to play cautiously throughout the game.

Reference: U.gg