Item selection must solve two issues: target access and spell denial. As an assassin, Skarner possesses a massive hitbox, making him susceptible to crowd-control interrupts before reaching the target.
Build Route:
Serrated Dirk ➔ Youmuu's Ghostblade ➔ Opportunity ➔ Edge of Night ➔ Serylda's Grudge
Youmuu’s Ghostblade
The foundational first purchase. Ghostblade provides 60 Attack Damage and 18 Lethality alongside massive out-of-combat movement speed. The active ability grants an extra 25% movement speed burst. This allows Skarner to run down targets through river corridors without burning his terrain-glide ability early.
Opportunity
Purchased second, Opportunity solidifies mid-game map dominance. Its passive gives flat movement speed upon scoring takedowns, allowing you to eliminate a carry and escape before the opposing frontline collapses on your position. The initial lethality boost upon engaging fits neatly within Skarner's three-hit burst window.
Edge of Night
Mandatory against compositions with targeted crowd control. A single Polymorph, Condemn, or Disintegrate stops your charge in its tracks. The spell shield ensures that your E charge or ultimate connection completes without disruption.
Situational Additions
Finish the build with Serylda’s Grudge to ensure your lethality penetrates targets building early armor like Zhonya’s Hourglass or Guardian Angel. If survivability becomes completely unmanageable, pivot your final slot to Death's Dance or Maw of Malmortius rather than pure armor penetration.
