Talk:Skarner/@comment-12904660-20150926104221/@comment-26203093-20150927190448

you'd most likely go oom from the need to use shield against the constant cc. If you don't believe the things we're saying, just try it yourself. Almost every midlaner is already ranged, has aoe clear, poke, burst damage, and/or burst mobility, because just slapping a minion wave while getting harassed, with no way of trading - or getting a powerspike to nuke them down, like the assassins - is a sure way to lose. Heavy short range damage and marathon running is for toplane. but it assumes that you can trade without going oom. Skarner quickly loses mana reliance, but he still is hungry at the first levels.

That said, hecarim was considered extremely oppressive at top due to his Q every time someone got close - and skarner's is basically stronger - if you're auto attacking. I'd actually recommend skipping W, and chain harassing with Q and E against meleers to get as much damage in through trades as possible. W is going to cost too much mana for a while.