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How come Darius is allowed to pull back people who flashed but Skarner isn't?

Kelly Clarkson··70 votes·7,096 views

A VERY long time ago, in patch 1.0.0.150 (AKA the patch Elise was released), the following change was made to Skarner:

Impale It will no longer finish casting if the target escapes the range during the cast time.

Basically what this meant is that if his target flashed away while Skarner was casting ult, the ult would cancel and the target gets away cleanly. This was my (and I'm sure many others') favorite feature of Skarner's ult.

I'm not entirely sure how long this has been happening, but now Darius seems to be able to do just that. If you flash away while Darius' pull animation is being casted, you will be flown back to Darius' location.

If this was intended, PLEASE return Skarner's ability to negate flashes. Let's keep in mind that this is Skarner's 90s single target ULTIMATE versus Darius' 12s AoE basic ability.

If this wasn't intended, consider this post a bug report.

Edit: Alright so since there's some confusion here's a video for help.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb7kd9Lkiog

As you can see, this is what Skarner USED to be able to do. They took that away in the Elise patch.

Lately, this is what Darius is NOW able to do. So what I'm asking Riot is that they either give Skarner back his ability to do this or take Darius' away. (Preferably giving it back to Skarner since both Darius and Skarner could use some love right now)

77 Comments

coppinslinger34 votes

Its because Riot has shown to hate Skarner, his kit, and everything he stands for on multiple occasions. If Skarner is allowed to be viable in anyway shape or form, then the game League of we Legends will be ruined as we know it.

Cerbearus8 votes

Lord forbid he ever sees play over their beloved Lee Sin!

Ariel the Cruel19 votes

Nah, they don't hate Skarner. They hate Dominion. Skarner is just an unfortunate reminder of that game mode they abandoned.

Pyro5 votes

Dominion is actually the epitome of everything that went wrong with LoL development.

It was heavily tied-in with the old lore, meant to expand the whole MOBA genre outside of lane pushing and advertised in champion spotlights on par with the Classic game mode. Riot prepared the whole situation in the event that Dominion outshined the Classic mode. There was even a cinematic for it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcBASl6I5kk

To understand the magnitude of this fiasco, did you know that "Project Odin", released as Dominion, was initially the one and only Magma Chamber? It was supposed to be an alternative Classic 5v5 or even 7v7 map, way bigger and with more features on it. Then it got remade into Dominion, which flopped. And then, once again, it got scrapped as a 1v1/2v2 game mode.

Skarner is just an unfortunate reminder of that game mode they abandoned.

Dominion isn't something abandoned by Riot. It was abandoned by players, because it wasn't good enough.

It was screwed up by Riot. That's why they hate it - it reminds them of their greatest failure.

MrSc0tty2 votes

{quoted}

Its because Riot has shown to hate Skarner, his kit, and everything he stands for on multiple occasions. If Skarner is allowed to be viable in anyway shape or form, then the game League of we Legends will be ruined as we know it.

Yeah, that's why they're buffing him!

DeusVult13 votes

Skarner ult immediately roots its target, so that they cannot flash/dash/etc away while he goes through the 0.25 sec cast animation

if someone is able to get away, this is a bug, and should be reported

Sightless665 votes

Unfortunately, it is not a bug. The root decreases the likelihood of someone being able to flash/dash away. It still has an application time of its own, meaning there is still a way for enemies to escape after it is cast. It was never meant to be 100% effective. This was established when the mechanic was introduced back in the first rework.

5 Stacks GG5 votes

the same thing happen with singed fling, why are you even making this post also Darius pull is not a point and click that may be the reason and i wouldnt care if they made skarner able to do it again.

If they nerf Darius e its all gonna be your fault for making such a stupid thread

this is the only thing that allow him to make plays...

Ariel the Cruel4 votes

This actually applies to a lot of abilities, not just Darius. The problem is the ability acquires targets at the beginning of the animation, but procs effects at the end. And with the length of the animation, it's easy to fail-escape. Voliball and Singed pulls also work the same way, but it's harder to fail-escape because their animations are incredibly short.

My biggest annoyance is Yi's alpha strike. Since the ability targets before the animation begins, then applies damage after the animation ends. It's bloody impossible to spell-shield.

GaleWinUnleashed1 votes

Particularly since the animation varies in length based on how many targets he hits with it.

Alpha strike really seems as though it should apply the damage to each target mid-animation, not after they've all been dashed at.

Ariel the Cruel2 votes

You mean "make the mechanics reflect the animation"? I sense you trying to apply logic. Shame on you. ;p

GaleWinUnleashed1 votes

I'm sorry, I can't help it!

Aerothal3 votes

that should be consistent, i agree! either both characters have it, or both dont!

Rustling Bush2 votes

this is what you sound like, "why isn't amumu allowed to have his ult instantly stun everyone but morgana has a cast time on her ult". but in seriousness the reason why is that skarner can drag people further, though i kind of disagree with the fact that it no longer works if they escape its radius, if that's the case then darius ult shouldn't register damage if i get away before its animation is done.

Kelly Clarkson23 votes

Not at all. I'm asking why Darius is allowed to do what they TOOK AWAY from Skarner on a basic ability?

But according to Charles it's a bug so I guess it's up to rito to fix it

Sightless661 votes

It actually isn't a bug. He's incorrect. It is intended that there be a very small window of potential escape, because the root application is not completely instant. It has been around since the rework first came out.

Mathbalnase9 votes

Missing the point. Look at it from the opposite direction.

If there is intended to be a narrow window of escape for a single-target Skarner Ult, why is there not a comparable window of escape for an AoE Darius basic ability?

Hibeki2 votes

By Darius is a momentary stun and a knockback while Skarner is a SUPPRESS with free control on your movement?

Horrow1 votes

Just ignore the fact that it still nullifies your flash. Which was WAAAAY more beneficial than the suppress.

5 Stacks GG8 votes

{quoted}

Not at all. I'm asking why Darius is allowed to do what they TOOK AWAY from Skarner on a basic ability?

But according to Charles it's a bug so I guess it's up to rito to fix it

it's NOT a bug lemme explain.

when released Darius was able to do the exact same thing but way back in season 2 there was a bug with his pull used after tp there a video showing him pulling all 5 enemy into fountain, riot then disabled darius and fixed that, the fix wasnt great since it stopped him from pulling people after flash or using a dash.

Riot said not so long ago they were looking into giving Darius a QoL, with the release of Dunkmaster Darius was the released QoL with his E still fixed from that tp pull but able to pull dashes again, it was a stealth QoL but a intended one

Blackwindy1 votes

{quoted}

it's NOT a bug lemme explain.

when released Darius was able to do the exact same thing but way back in season 2 there was a bug with his pull used after tp there a video showing him pulling all 5 enemy into fountain, riot then disabled darius and fixed that, the fix wasnt great since it stopped him from pulling people after flash or using a dash.

Riot said not so long ago they were looking into giving Darius a QoL, with the release of Dunkmaster Darius was the released QoL with his E still fixed from that tp pull but able to pull dashes again, it was a stealth QoL but a intended one

YEs, this! http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=4796540 also the QoL change nobody noticed: http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=4731870 the Q seems to be even smoother now than it was in 4.11

Afro Skeleton9 votes

It is a bug. To be more specific, skarner is a scorpion.

Equinox MKD1 votes

not a bug happens always not only flash but every dash/blink spell

360D3GR3SS2 votes

Moving a suppressed target (who cannot do anything at all) with a targeted ability vs pulling a target who has numerous counter play opportunities to avoid a SKILL SHOT

Raptamei3 votes

{quoted}

Moving a suppressed target (who cannot do anything at all) with a targeted ability vs pulling a target who has numerous counter play opportunities to avoid a SKILL SHOT

You just said there is nothing you can do to avoid getting pulled by a melee champion with no gap closer.

Amumu

360D3GR3SS1 votes

When a target is suppressed they can't do anything other than QSS to end the suppression.

Raptamei5 votes

{quoted}

When a target is suppressed they can't do anything other than QSS to end the suppression.

God this community is so defeatist.

The counterplay is don't let the melee champion with no gap closer get close enough to do that without your team nearby.

You don't deserve any counterplay if he manages to do that, because you screwed up royally a second earlier.

When Riot said that people don't like DoTs, this must be what they meant. I'm sure if Cass was viable, people would complain that you can't do anything to stop poison damage after it's applied and therefore Cass has no counter play QQ QQ Q QQ Q Q QQQ Q QQ WHAAAAAA.

InsaneSamurai1 votes

Yeah it's your fault.... Flash too, don't ever get within a Darius' flash/grab range. Ever. How are you gonna farm? I dunno but if you try and he kills you, that's your bad.

Seriously?

Raptamei2 votes

{quoted}

Yeah it's your fault.... Flash too, don't ever get within a Darius' flash/grab range. Ever. How are you gonna farm? I dunno but if you try and he kills you, that's your bad.

Seriously?

Pick a ranged champion?

InsaneSamurai1 votes

You forgot to tell me how to always get my pick after the enemy laner :P

Kelly Clarkson4 votes

Moving a single suppressed target (who cannot do anything at all) with a targeted ability vs pulling possibly multiple targets with a higher range, massively lower cooldown, and the ability to pull people in the fog of war because it's a skillshot

360D3GR3SS2 votes

When you move those multiple targets they freely run away/flash afterwards. And how often does a Darius hook more than 1 person...not often. Skarner will always get the target he wants because his ability his targeted.

Kosm1K5 votes

You do realize that this entire thread has proven that Skarner can't always get his target simply because riot added a fix to his ult during Elise patch that if a target flashes out of the ult that it will no longer pull them towards him? So no Skarner can't always get his target, but Darius, Singed, and Volibear can even if they flash, they'll just be bounced back to them

DarthSpectrum2 votes

Darius's pull is a skill shot. Other skill shots with similar properties such as Yasuo's Q will also apply if a target attempts to dodge it with a blink after the skill shot animation has begun.

This is probably a bug, as well, it should technically be impossible to flash out of a Skarner ult.

Sammystorm4 votes

it isn't a bug it was removed back in season 2. It however was not normalized meaning skarner was the only one who got this "bug fix"

Rikari2 votes

Its a displacement/pull technique. Skarner's ult is single target. Same thing happens with Thresh/Orianna. How else would he fulfill the dunk prophecies. http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/1694253573/213342938?tab=overview

Nausicäa 2 votes

Probably because Darius doesnt suppress them?

PentaSpin2 votes

Cause Darius pull is a cone skillshot, and skarner ult is point and click?

InsaneSamurai1 votes

But wouldn't that mean flash should avoid Darius' move and should not avoid Skarners(once it's fired off)?

Chaotic Reks2 votes

Found this on Skarner's wiki and thought it might clarify:

If Skarner loses sight of his target or if his target exceeds a range threshold during the initial 0.25 seconds, the ability is cancelled but does not go on cooldown. Impale's target can exceed the threshold either by being in the process of dashing when immobilized, removing the immobilize and then quickly moving away, or by an ally knocking Skarner back

Zyffrm2 votes

From the official LOL Wiki

IMPALE ACTIVE: Skarner rears his stinger, rooting his target for 0.25 seconds as he brings his stinger down, dealing magic damage and Suppression icon suppressing it for 1.75 seconds. At the end of the suppression, the target takes the same damage again.

For the duration, Skarner can move freely and drag his victim around with him but cannot attack the victim. Impale consumes all Crystallizing Sting.png Crystal Venom stacks to deal bonus magic damage per stack.

Skarner instantly roots his targets when he uses his ult on them, this should render them incapable of flashing or using dashes but is currently not doing so. The suppression occurs at the same time, not after the root, and should render all skills, summoner spells and item actives unusable for the duration of Impale; which it does. The issue here is that enemies are currently able to flash away during the spell cast animation, which they should not be able to do as riot added the root specifically so they shouldn't be able to. This is a bug. There is no arguing this point. Now... whether or not Riot intends for Skarner to drag his victims back even if they managed to flash (like he used to be able to do) is questionable. They may or may not want to change this aspect of his game play and since they have not come out and addressed this matter it is completely unknown.

APPREHEND ACTIVE: After a brief delay, Darius Airborne icon pulls in all enemies in front of him.

It is a very brief delay, basically half of the total cast animation but even if an enemy manages to flash or dash out as Darius casts Apprehend they are dragged back in. This makes little sense when compared to the current state of Skarners ult as for Impale** there is no delay**. So while Darius is capable of pulling in quite possibly the entire team without room for them to escape Skarner is left with the chance to pull in one enemy who can with great skill, completely render his ultimate ability null and void.

Now, Riot often does soft buffs and nerfs to champions and claims that the changes are to "bring them in line with other champions or similar skills" but here we have a case that does not follow this suit. Darius is a bad comparison in terms of similar skill however. Volibear, Singed and Alistar all have skills that knockback or flip enemy champions *instantaneously *the way Impale is supposedly does. Their skills all effect champions that flash or dash away during the skill's activation. If Volibear or Singed flip an enemy champ that is flashing away their target flys all the way back to them and over their heads. If Alistar knocks up a champ mid flash they end their flash knocked up, if he headbutts them their flash ending position is augmented by the direction Alistar headbutted them in.

If there is a skill or champion that does not follow suit with similar skills or champions, it is Darius. His pull has an AOE effect and supposedly has a delay but acts like all these instantaneous skills that are single target. At the same time Skarner is robbed of his should be single target benefits that all other similar skills have. You can argue that it is because it is a root/suppress and that it lasts a bit longer than the others but keep in mind that it's cool down is much longer and Skarner can not attack his victim when he uses his own ult. It should be balanced and he should be able to drag flashing and dashing enemies back to him (following the logic of other champions it makes sense) but he isn't. The reason why is only obtainable from Riot and we eagerly await an answer.

GaleWinUnleashed2 votes

The problem is that the root is not applied instantaneously, and that this is an intentional design decision. It is there to remove some of the fail-ult cases, but not all. They want it to still be possible, just not as easy as the entire .25 (? Correct me if I have that number wrong) second window before the suppression begins.

Sightless661 votes
Skarner instantly roots his targets when he uses his ult on them,

Not quite. There is a delay on the application of the root to leave open small cases where enemies can flash or blink out of Skarner's ultimate and cancel it. This is not a bug, but is instead fully intended behavior. It is intended for the root to not be a 100% stop to enemies using mobility skills. Riot did confirm that this was the goal back when the rework released.

It's silly, but that is what Riot wanted from it. I personally think the delay should be removed entirely and it should actually be made instantaneous to prevent escape flashing, or at least let him pull people back.

CreationFlaw1 votes

Well, it's similar to a garen/darius ult being a third of the way through the cast time, but it's an unstoppable animation, it will go through no matter what and killed you even if you're across the map, if he got contact to start it, it's over.

GaleWinUnleashed1 votes

There's also a video somewhere of Vayne using her Tumble (augmented by her ult) to dodge Darius' ult repeatedly as he attempts to finish her off.

IJN Taiyou1 votes

Any time someone says Skarner's cooldown is the base cooldowns I laugh. I laugh so hard.

Sightless661 votes

Why? His Q is the only thing with on-hit CDR anymore.

GaleWinUnleashed1 votes

Unfortunately that rework removed his on-hit CDR reduction, focusing it entirely into his Q. While it would've been wrong to keep it for the ult and not have it for Q, it doesn't make it feel any better to have to wait the ENTIRE 90 seconds now.

Pencil Horizon1 votes

Darius' registers your placement from where they are at cast time not after.

ladention1 votes

Oh yeah. I had the same problem when i tunneled as rek'sai and he pulled me from a mile away

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