Skarner Bug? Or Unlisted Change?

So I love playing Skarner, especially on Ascension and Definitely Not Dominion. But the last couple times those modes have rolled around, I've been disappointed:

Every time I join a match with Skarner, ironically, on the Crystal Scar map, his crystals are gone.

Maybe I didn't look hard enough, but I haven't seen anywhere where Riot has said that they purposefully took away his crystals...is this a balance fix that happened on purpose? Or is it a bug that still hasn't been fixed after a month?

If it is on purpose, does anyone from Riot have a reason why? Or does anyone in the community have any thoughts on this? I miss playing this guy during these modes. one of my fave champs.