Skarner was a terrible Champion, but after years of waiting his VGU is finally here (well, on the PBE at least). As well as new abilities, this Champ has also had a major lore update. Here is Skarner's new lore.
Riot have just released some of the results from a recent player survey, and they discovered that the community basically hate Skarner. In fact, he was considered the absolute lowest out of all Champions in the following categories:
- Visual appeal
- One of your favorite champions
- I like this champ’s personal style
- Visual fit with character
- Clear understanding of the character
And while it was mentioned in the survey, it's also worth pointing out he also had zero hot skins, which is simply unacceptable in the context of LoL. Clearly, something needed to change. And, thankfully, it is.
Riot are giving this Champion a huge makeover, but it's not all about Skarner's new abilities, they've also updated his lore. Here is Skarner's updated lore.
What Is Skarner's New Lore?
Skarner is still a "Brackern", but now they hail from Ixtal and not Shurima, and their relationship to humans has changed massively. Whereas in the original lore, Brackerns were the enemies of humans (more on that below), in this updated version of the lore, Brackerns teach the humans of Ixtal everything they know. In return, the people of Ixtal revere the Brackern for thier deep connection to elemental magic.
As the Skarner VGU team explained:
With the Brackern as the first earth elementalists, we're exploring the possibility of them having taught the first Ixtali people how to harness the earth element, as well as the possibility of them building the first Arcologies. This would position the Brackern as a revered species in Ixtal, deeply connected to the region's origin and history.
We LOVE this change for the Brackern.
But Skarner isn't just any old Brackern, in this version of the lore Skarner is a "founding member of [the Brackern's] ruling caste, the Yun Tal".
And there's an interesting tension at play in the new Skarner lore: He has decided to keep Ixtal and its people isolated from their own safety. But as members of the Yun Tal begin to question this decision, he becomes increasingly paranoid.
Ixtal is a mystical and secluded region within Runeterra in League of Legends, renowned for its unparalleled mastery of natural magic and ancient civilizations. Home to enigmatic tribes and lush jungles, Ixtal preserves ancient wisdom and fosters the growth of powerful mages, embodying a harmonious relationship with nature.
That's all we can say for certain about Skarner's new lore so far, but we expect the missing gaps in the story to be filled soon!
What Was Skarner's Old Lore?
Skarner originally hailed from a place called the Crystal Scar in Shurima. The Crystal Scar was a land abundant in powerful magical crystals, which were not only valuable but also possessed a unique consciousness. Skarner belonged to a race known as the Brackern, a species of ancient crystalline scorpions (now they aren't crystalline, they're just Scorpians, which is lame).Long ago, the Brackern lived peacefully within the Crystal Scar, serving as guardians of its precious resources. Skarner himself was a guardian of immense strength and wisdom, deeply connected to the land and its energies. However, the peace of the Brackern was shattered when outsiders, particularly the humans of the Kingdom of Shurima, discovered the Crystal Scar and sought to exploit its resources for their own gain.As the conflict escalated, the humans began to mine the crystals indiscriminately, causing immense harm to the land and its inhabitants. Skarner and his kin fought fiercely to protect their home, but despite their efforts, they were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and technological advancements of the Shuriman forces.
In a desperate attempt to save his kind from extinction, Skarner willingly underwent a process that fused his essence with the most potent of the crystals, transforming him into a powerful and near-immortal being. This sacrifice allowed him to survive the devastation wrought upon the Crystal Scar, but it also left him as one of the last remaining Brackern.Skarner wandered the land, seeking to preserve what little remained of his once-thriving civilization. He harbored a deep resentment towards the humans and other intruders who continued to exploit the Crystal Scar, viewing them as invaders who had desecrated his home. Despite his immense strength and ancient wisdom, Skarner was burdened by the weight of his people's history and the knowledge that he might be the last of his kind.
And there you have it, a complete overview of Skarner's new lore. What do you think? Are you a fan of the changes?