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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Yes, Skarner's ultimate ability, "Impale," can be suppressed by certain crowd control effects. If Skarner is suppressed or disabled by an enemy ability while his ultimate is active, the duration of his ultimate will be interrupted, and the target will be freed. This often means losing the suppression and potential damage from the ultimate.

Key Facts

Skarner's ultimate, Impale, is a channeled ability that suppresses a single enemy target.
Certain crowd control (CC) effects, particularly suppressions and knock-ups, can interrupt Skarner's Impale.
If Skarner is suppressed or knocked up by an enemy while channeling Impale, the ultimate will fail and the target will be released.
Abilities that prevent channeling, such as those that root or stun Skarner, will also interrupt Impale.
The interruption of Impale results in the loss of the ultimate's suppression effect and any associated damage.

Overview

Skarner, the Scourge of the Crystal, is a formidable bruiser in the popular online battle arena game League of Legends. His kit is designed around sustained damage, area control, and a potent single-target ultimate that can drastically alter teamfight engagements. This ultimate, known as "Impale," allows Skarner to suppress an enemy champion and drag them around with him for a significant duration, making them vulnerable and disrupting enemy positioning. However, like many channeled abilities in the game, Impale is susceptible to interruption by various forms of crowd control (CC).

The question of whether Skarner's ultimate can be "qss'd" is a common one among players. "QSS" refers to the Quicksilver Sash, an item that provides an active ability to remove most crowd control effects. While Quicksilver Sash itself is a powerful counter, the interaction with Skarner's ultimate is more nuanced and involves understanding the specific CC types that can interrupt it. It's not just about being cleansed; it's about whether the ability can even be completed in the first place or if it's abruptly ended.

How It Works

Skarner's ultimate, "Impale," is a powerful tool that allows him to latch onto a single enemy champion. Upon activation, Skarner suppresses the target and can then move freely, dragging the suppressed enemy with him. This makes it an excellent initiation or pick-off tool. However, the effectiveness of Impale hinges on Skarner being able to maintain the channel without interruption. Various crowd control effects can disrupt this channel, rendering the ultimate ineffective and potentially putting Skarner in a vulnerable position.

Suppression and Knock-ups: The most definitive way to stop Impale is by applying a suppression or a knock-up to Skarner himself. Abilities like Malzahar's "Nether Grasp" or Alistar's "Headbutt" (used to knock up Skarner) will immediately cancel Impale, freeing the target. This is because these effects prevent Skarner from channeling his ultimate.
Stuns and Roots: Similar to suppressions and knock-ups, stuns and roots applied to Skarner will also break his ultimate. If Skarner is stunned by an ability like Lux's "Final Spark" or rooted by Zyra's "Grasping Roots" while channeling Impale, the ultimate will cease to function.
Displacement Effects: While not directly interrupting the channel in the same way as stuns or roots, certain displacement abilities might still force Skarner to drop the ultimate. However, the primary focus for breaking Impale is usually direct CC on Skarner.
Quicksilver Sash (QSS): The Quicksilver Sash is an item that allows the user to cleanse themselves of most crowd control effects. If Skarner is suppressed by Impale, the target can activate their QSS to remove the suppression. However, this doesn't stop the initial cast of Impale. If Skarner is suppressed or stunned *while casting* Impale, QSS won't save the ultimate itself, only the target from its effects if the cast is completed. The key distinction is what happens to Skarner.

Key Comparisons

Understanding how different CCs interact with Impale is crucial. Here's a breakdown of common CC types and their impact on Skarner's ultimate:

Crowd Control Type	Impact on Skarner's Ultimate (Impale)	Target's Ability to React
Suppression (e.g., Malzahar R)	Interrupts Channel: If applied to Skarner before or during the cast, Impale is cancelled.	If QSS is activated after Impale is cast on them, they can cleanse the suppression.
Knock-up (e.g., Alistar Q)	Interrupts Channel: If applied to Skarner before or during the cast, Impale is cancelled.	N/A (Ultimate cancelled before it affects them)
Stun (e.g., Lux E)	Interrupts Channel: If applied to Skarner before or during the cast, Impale is cancelled.	N/A (Ultimate cancelled before it affects them)
Root (e.g., Morgana Q)	Interrupts Channel: If applied to Skarner before or during the cast, Impale is cancelled.	N/A (Ultimate cancelled before it affects them)
Displacement (e.g., Janna R)	May cause Skarner to drop the ultimate if he is pushed away from the target.	Can potentially disrupt Skarner's movement, but not a direct interrupt of the channel itself.

Why It Matters

The ability to interrupt Skarner's ultimate has significant implications for gameplay. It dictates counter-play options and significantly influences teamfight dynamics.

Counter-Play Potential: The existence of counter-play is fundamental to a balanced game. Knowing that Impale can be interrupted allows players to position themselves defensively and react with crowd control when Skarner attempts to engage. This prevents Skarner from being an unstoppable force with his ultimate.
Strategic Itemization: The effectiveness of Quicksilver Sash and other cleanse items becomes paramount when facing a Skarner. Players who are likely to be targeted by Impale might prioritize purchasing QSS or Mikael's Blessing to ensure they can survive the initial engagement and potentially turn the tide of a fight.
Teamfight Coordination: Understanding this interaction encourages better teamfight coordination. If Skarner is about to initiate with Impale, his team will likely follow up with their own CC to secure the kill. Conversely, the enemy team will be looking to peel for their targeted carry or initiate CC onto Skarner to disrupt his ultimate.

In conclusion, while Skarner's "Impale" is a potent ability, it is far from uncounterable. Strategic use of crowd control by the enemy team can effectively shut down Skarner's ultimate before it even fully takes hold. For the target of the ultimate, quick reflexes and timely item activation can be the difference between a devastating pick and a wasted ultimate for Skarner. This dynamic adds a layer of depth to how players approach fights involving Skarner.