Skarner Rework: Release Date And New Abilities Explained
- What’s the Skarner Rework release date and when will it be live on League of Legends?
- What are the Skarner Rework’s new abilities?
- Why is Skarner receiving a rework in League of Legends?
League of Legends has reworked a number of different LoL champions in the past in an attempt to modernize the entire champion pool to the current state of the game. That model now continues as one of League of Legends longest-standing champions, Skarner, is set to receive a much-needed overhaul.
Here is everything you need to know about League of Legends’ Skarner rework, its’ release date, and new abilities coming to Summoner’s Rift.
Skarner was one of the earliest champions released into League of Legends when he first appeared on Summoner’s Rift on August 9, 2011. Now, after nearly 13 years, the “Crystal Vanguard” is set to experience a huge update that is sure to create more exciting gameplay and increase the champion’s competitive viability.
When Does The Skarner Rework Release?
League of Legends will release the Skarner Rework during League of Legends Patch 14.7. While the Skarner Rework is unfortunately unavailable on the game’s current patch, LoL Patch 14.6, League players won’t need to wait very long to try out the new Skarner rework.
For now, fans can spend their time preparing themselves for the longtime League champions rework. If Skarner follows a path similar to that of past League champion reworks, it is very likely that Skarner will soon re-enter competitive viability once LoL Patch 14.7 officially hits the server.
Skarner Rework Passive and Abilities
The Skarner Rework means that the longtime League of Legends champion will receive a complete overhaul to their passive abilities. Here are all of Skarner’s new passive and abilities to land onto the Summoner’s Rift.
Passive: Threads of Vibration
Skarner’s basic attacks, Shattered Earth/Upheaval, and Impale apply Quaking to enemies. Additionally, enemies with three stacks of Quaking will take percent Max HP damage over time.
Q: Shattered Earth/Upheaval
Skarner rips a rock out of the ground and uses it to empower his next three attacks with bonus damage, range, and attack speed.
His third attack slams the rock into his target, slowing and dealing significant bonus damage, ending the effect. Skarner may re-cast Upheaval to throw the rock as a projectile that explodes on the first enemy hit, dealing the same damage and slow, ending the effect.
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W: Seismic Bastion
Skarner gains a shield and slams into the ground, releasing a shockwave that damages and slows nearby enemies.
E: Ixtal's Impact
Skarner charges forward, ignoring terrain, and grabs the first enemy champion or large monster he collides with. He may then carry them a short way, damaging and stunning them if they collide with terrain. The indicator will look similar to when Kayn travels through walls.
R: Impale
Skarner’s ultimate, Impale, will be the only ability that did not completely change from the original Skarner. Regardless, this ability will receive a major enhancement as this move will be more devastating than before.
Skarner can impale up to three enemy champions, all while damaging and suppressing them while he gains bonus movement speed for a short time before carrying that champion until the effect ends. While you cannot cast Q, E, or Flash, Skarner will be able to pull enemies over walls now. Additionally, the duration of his ultimate will not change if you are pulling one or even three enemies.
Why Is League of Legends Reworking Skarner?
In short, Skarner was not very popular with League of Legends players. Riot Games conducted a survey where Skarner ranked the lowest in multiple categories such as visual appeal, champion popularity, visual fit with character, and clear understanding of the character.
While Skarner has been one of League of Legends longest-standing champions, the attachment and connection to the purple scorpion was drastically lower than champions that were released into the game much later than him. As a result, it makes sense to update his kit and look to match that of the current League of Legends standards.
As we await the official release of the Skarner Rework, be sure to check out the entire list of changes that took place in League of Legends Patch 14.6.
Sage got his start in esports as a volunteer writer in 2016 for esports organization, Dignitas. Since then, he has continued to work on his craft as a journalist and reporter for a number of established esports publications, such as esports.gg, Unikrn, Akshon Esports, Howla, The Player’s Lobby, Nerd Street Gamers, and most recently Dot Esports. Now, as a member of Esports Illustrated’s content team, Sage’s primary duties are centered around creating groundbreaking written and video content about the esports industry that impacts the community in a meaningful way. Sage graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Informatics. There, he was a member of the Rutgers Esports Executive Board, both as the head of the fighting game community and a videographer/photographer for the Content team.