When was the last time you saw Skarner in your ranked games? If you’re like most of us, it’s probably been months. But TES Naiyou just reminded everyone why the crystal scorpion deserves another look.
In what had to be one of the most surprising picks we’ve seen this split, Naiyou locked in Skarner for game 5 against WBG. And it wasn’t just a random comfort pick – this was a masterclass that had the League community buzzing.
The excitement was real across social media. Players who hadn’t touched Skarner since his rework started theory-crafting builds and jungle paths. The performance was so clean that it had people ready to jump into ranked immediately.
“TES Naiyou highlights with Skarner in game 5 against WBG. Amazing gameplay. Wanna try that build on soloQ.” — u/Gabel4n on r/leagueoflegends
That sentiment captures exactly what we’re all feeling. When a pro makes something look that good in the highest stakes situation possible, it makes us want to run it back in our own games.
Of course, not everyone’s completely sold on the Skarner hype train just yet. We’ve all been burned before by trying to copy pro picks that look amazing on stage but fall flat in solo queue. The coordination and team play that makes champions work in pro matches doesn’t always translate to the chaos of ranked.
Some players are already pointing out that Skarner needs his team to set up plays properly. Without that coordination, he can feel pretty underwhelming compared to other jungle options that can make more independent plays.
There’s also the question of whether this was just Naiyou being incredibly skilled rather than Skarner being secretly overpowered. We’ve seen plenty of times where a player’s individual brilliance makes a champion look better than it actually is.
But here’s what makes this performance so special – it shows us something we sometimes forget about League. The game has way more viable options than what we see in our daily ranked grind. We get stuck in these patterns where everyone plays the same 10-15 champions, and we forget about all the other possibilities.
Naiyou’s Skarner reminds us that the meta isn’t just about what’s statistically best. It’s about finding champions that fit your playstyle and knowing how to make them work. When someone takes a forgotten pick and makes it shine on the biggest stage, it opens our minds to what’s possible.
This kind of performance also highlights why we love watching pro League so much. It’s not just about seeing the best players compete – it’s about seeing them push the boundaries of what we think is viable. Every time someone like Naiyou breaks out an unexpected pick and makes it work, it changes how we think about the game.
The ripple effects are already starting. You can bet that over the next few weeks, we’re going to see Skarner show up more often in solo queue. Some players will try to copy the exact build and playstyle they saw. Others will use it as inspiration to experiment with their own forgotten favorites.
What’s really exciting is thinking about what other champions might be sleeping giants right now. If Skarner can work at the highest level of play, what about other champions we’ve written off? Maybe it’s time to dust off some of those picks we haven’t touched in months.
Looking ahead, this performance could signal a shift toward more experimental picks in professional play. Teams are always looking for that edge, and if one unexpected champion selection can swing a crucial game 5, other teams will definitely take notice.
For those of us ready to try Skarner ourselves, it’s worth remembering that the champion works best when your team can follow up on your engages. But even if you don’t find the same success Naiyou did, there’s something refreshing about breaking out of the usual jungle routine.
The bigger lesson here is that League keeps surprising us. Just when we think we have the meta figured out, someone comes along and shows us there’s still room for creativity. That’s what makes this game special, and it’s what keeps us coming back for more.
