Can Skarner get a little compensation?

Variks the Loyal·Apr 7, 2016·1 votes·532 views

Currently, Skarner does massively less damage than other Juggernauts. This is alright, because he offers more utility.

But, I'm worried this nerf to Iceborn Gauntlet will hit him a bit too hard. Iceborn is currently his second item to complete, after Cinderhulk. He doesn't make enough gold to justify Triforce, so the utility and damage that Iceborn offers hells him stay relevant at all stages of the game.

The nerf to IBG, I'm worried, will hit his damage a bit too much. I'm not sure where compensation would go, but I think he could use some to make up for this nerf. He may go from slightly underpowered to bad pick. As someone who loves Skarner, I don't want that to happen. :(

5 Comments

ValyrianBladeApr 7, 20161 votes

Skarner has the second highest win rate jungle right now. He's in a great spot - I don't see him getting any compensation. Your best hope is that his "compensation" will be this affecting him enough to result in him not getting nerfs.

Variks the LoyalApr 7, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Skarner has the second highest win rate jungle right now. He's in a great spot - I don't see him getting any compensation. Your best hope is that his "compensation" will be this affecting him enough to result in him not getting nerfs.

His winrate is high because the only people who play him have always played him, and thus have years and years of experience playing him. Same reason why Galio has a good winrate, despite everyone nearly universally agreeing he needs changes.

ValyrianBladeApr 7, 20161 votes

{quoted}

His winrate is high because the only people who play him have always played him, and thus have years and years of experience playing him. Same reason why Galio has a good winrate, despite everyone nearly universally agreeing he needs changes.

His playerbase average games is 44.

Compare that to 166 on Fiddlesticks jungle, who has a considerably lower win rate. Or 109 on Shaco, 90+ on Rengar, 80+ on Eve, 70+ on Wukong/Sion/Lee Sin, etc...

Of all champions, he ranks 81 in playerbase average games played (admittedly skewed by multi-role champions as the list has over 160, but point is he's right in the dead center for average games played). So no, people don't have more experience on him at all. Given how recent his rework was, I'd say it's even worse. You can't possibly have played the reworked Skarner for years, he's not even been out for 1.

32% of Skarner players have 1-5 games on him (and they have a 50% win rate). 24% have 6-15 games (with 52% win rate). 22% have 16-50 games (with a 55.5% win rate) That leaves 11% at 51-125 and 8% at 125+ (I have no idea why it doesn't sum to 100). So again, players definitely do not have loads of experience on him.

Compare that to let's say my main, Jinx: Average games: 82 10% have 1-5 games with a 47% win rate. 14.5% have 6-15 with a 51.5% win rate 30.5% have 16-50 with a 51.5% win rate Leaving 24% and 18.5% (again, not sure why it doesn't sum to 100) at 51-125 and 125+ games played.

The comparison just isn't there. Skarner mains aren't expert Skarner players, not even close. They have a 50% win rate when brand new on him, and get over the 55% threshold with over 15 games played. Most balanced champions are LUCKY to hit 55% with 125+ games played on them.

A more comparable example may be Vi. Whose mains play her a bit more than Skarner (18%, 24%, 33% in the same first 3 categories) and she sees woefully lower win rates than him until hitting 55% at 50+ games. She's at 50.6% in the 15-50 game category (5 full percent behind Skarner).

To me, that's at least defendable. 50+ games is a decent chunk to get to that 55% win rate. But 15? Come on. Get real. Skarner is REALLY strong right now. It's not just his mains being committed to him - the stats completely disprove that.

coralsApr 11, 20161 votes

I am a really dedicated to Skarner. He is probably strong right now, but I am having less fun playing him then I did pre-rework. I think he can feel weak even if he is kind of strong. Part of this was probably all of the move speed that got added to items this season. Skarner getting out speeded all the time is frustrating, he relies so much on closing the gap at crucial moments to stun or ult. His win rate going up may be a symptom of items like runic echo and some of the fast champions like udyr getting nerfed. I haven't played in awhile so my knowledge may be outdated.

AnagsApr 7, 20161 votes

One thing you need to remember when comparing stats is play rate is a huge factor. Vi has over 3 times his play rate. Some players may be experienced on skarner but only play him against certain matchups in ranked.

That skews your games played and the winrate. There are certain champs that I play into others just because I like the matchup better.

I'm not saying he is strong or weak right now. Just that there isn't as much data for him and he could just fill a niche really well.