Skadi & Kaldr, Duo Lane Demolishers.

Hey guys, this is my first guide and I made it on my phone so bare with me here.

Firstly I thought I would make this guide because after playing Skadi for quite some time now I thought I would have a look at how others go about her build and play style to try and better myself even though I'm generally unstoppable with Skadi.
I was appauled to find that people don't think she is good or that she isn't viable for certain things.

I'm here to inform you, that is not the case. I have played her in arena with exceptional results, in joust to fantastic effect, in conquest be it carry, support, solo or even jungle and dominated in every roll.

I don't particularly like giving up the secret to shear annihilation with Skadi but whatever it takes to silence the haters.

I will try and keep it short and sweet so you can begin face rolling the opposition as soon as possible. Here goes...

*Pros;
- High damage from safe distance.
- High crowd control.
- Unparalleled tower dive.
- Incredible chase.

*Cons;
- No easy escape while Ult. is on cooldown.
- Has tendency to make player over confident and make mistakes.

These builds are all about fully utilising Kaldr for the ***** on heat that he is because he just wants to f*** everything.

He benefits from your attack power and pen though recieves no benefit from attack speed and crit. He can do insane damage and his damage coupled with life stealing heals you.

So damage, pen and lifesteal are the way to go. Counter building is counter productive unless your getting wrecked (which really shouldn't happen) because the three aforementioned stats counter everything they have to throw at you.

If dealing to a pesky healer get Brawlers Beatstick before Titan's Bane.

Once at full build you can kill most gods without entering their range but if you prefer a more 'in your face' approach then you can swap Trans. for Stone Cutting Sword or The Executioner.

If you want to try jungle with Skadi then the Hastened Fatalis is for the run speed around jungle and the passive it gives helps with chasing when they s*** themselves and getting in and out quick.
Bumba's Mask is for early sustain because you will be dropping Meditation for Wrath to help clear camps and gank. Jotunns Wrath is just to reduce cooldown of Ult. as you lack a lot of mobility required by jungle so you want make a big impact every time you enter lane.

Abilities are as follows;

1/X) Piercing Cold
- Spear that deals damage to multiple enemies in a straight line and buffs Kaldr's damage against affected enemies.
- Use to clear lane and to make Kaldr deal even more damage to enemy gods.
- Build after Rune of the Hunt reaches Rank 4.

2/A) Rune of the Hunt
- Order Kaldr to attack targeted enemy.
- Use to apply pressure, push lane and destroy all who get in your way.
- Build to Rank 4 as soon as possible, within reason.

3/B) Permafrost
- Turns target area into ice skating rink. Deals damage to enemy gods that touch it and damage over time every second to enemies in it. Slows enemy gods and makes them lose control of their movement and slide in whatever direction they were moving when they initially touched the ice. Also increases Skadi's movement speed whilst on the ice.
- Use offensively to draw enemies out of their comfort zone or under tower.
- Use defensively to create space between the enemy and yourself.
- Build last besides rank 5 of Rune of the Hunt.

4/Y) Winter's Grasp
- Creates a blizzard around Skadi and Kaldr that deals damage over time to enemies caught in it. Enemy gods that are unfortunate enough to be in range upon activation are rooted for enough time get melted. Also heals Kaldr to full health and makes him immune to all damage for the duration.
- Use offensively to halt the escape of an enemy or to tower dive enemies who have a false sense of security.
- Use defensively to halt the chase of an enemy or to shut them down long enough to force them into a retreat or a swift death.
- Build whenever possible.

Skadi can be quite squishy at the very beginning, if you allow the enemy to exploit that, your gonna have a bad time.

Kaldr is a savage killing machine, not so much until around the time Skadi reaches level 6 or 7 but still enough to secure a sly kill or to make the enemy rethink pushing the lane but DO NOT waste him.

Take your time and kill minions, steal camps and try and level as efficiently as possible. Don't over extend. Wait for them to try push your lane and then teach them why that's not a good idea against Skadi.

Kaldr should ONLY be used to secure an assured kill or to push/apply pressure when it is absolutely necessary.
Skadi's Ult. can be used to gank even when they run under tower to secure an early lead.

If you play it smart you shouldn't have to worry about the enemy too much including the jungle. If the jungle is applying pressure to your lane or getting rather fed in other lanes and you are fearful of a gank then ask your team to ward or buy some on your first back which will be when you hit 1400g to finish Transcendence.

Damage and pressure is through the roof as Rune of the Hunt is at rank 4 and Skadi has the first few items under her belt and full stacks on Transcendence.

At this point her pressence is noticed, especially when she starts tower diving like a boss with her Ult., ganking other lanes and stealing buffs and camps. Aslong as your ahead of the jungle you can move freely and comfortably around the map.

If you manage to fall behind in level, I suggest warding and playing carefully, basically following early game strategy until you catch up.

If you are on par with or ahead of the enemy team then no defensive items are required however if you are significantly behind or an enemy is becoming particularly troublesome then a defensive item can be purchased until you catch up or to counter the annoyance then sold for damage later. Skadi's damage and lifesteal is more than enough late in the game.

If you have followed the guide thus far you should be relatively fed and having an absolute blast annihilating the opposing forces but be careful not to get too overzealous.

As Skadi by this point you can get cocky and chase as most enemies will run at the first sign of Kaldr with atleast 2 health points, and a tower or pheonix doesnt trouble you in the slightest aslong as your Ult. is up. But sometimes i have too much fun and get lead into traps.

Start out business as usual, same as any jungle. Use your usual route and strategy.

When speed buff is soon to come back up ward the enemies camp aswell as your own because you are going to need as much up time on the buff as possible plus it's a great way to gank the enemy jungle.
Keep an eye on your wards and buff timers so you can keep getting the buffs for yourself and to keep the enemy jungle from getting it.
The need for this buff is so you can move about the map, in and out of lanes, through jungle etc. as efficiently as possible.
Aslong as you help your laners to not fall behind and you yourself don't fall behind you are in for one hell of a game.

*First and foremost know how to time sending in Kaldr and when to make him retreat. You're nothing without him.
- Kaldr can't be targeted or take damage when he is by your side.
- He has 5 health points.
- It takes a few hits from minions to remove 1 health point however hits from enemy towers, pheonix or gods remove 1 health point per hit, whether it's a basic attack or a powerful ability, 1 health point per hit.

*Do not send Kaldr to attack from afar, get close-ish so as to not kill him before he gets in range.

*Do not use your Ult. unless an enemy is within range of Skadi or Kaldr as the root effect does not apply when they enter the blizzard that is already active, it only applies on activation.

*Use lane/camp clearing to heal Kaldr. He gains health from his kills after Rune of the Hunt rank 3.

I sincerely hope that my guide whilst lacking all the fancy ability and item links and coloured text and pics gives you all the information you need to excel as Skadi.
I also hope you enjoy playing Skadi as much as I do because damn it's fun.
I will try and answer any questions in the comments but criticism isn't necessary because my build works for me and I don't really care if my guide is the prettiest one or not.