Guides / The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Labyrinthian
The Dragonborn travels to the ancient ruins of Labyrinthian during the College of Winterhold questline to obtain the Staff of Magnus. The expedition requires using the Torc of Labyrinthian to unlock the dungeon, navigating through spectral projections of Savos Aren's past expedition, and battling waves of undead. At the deepest sanctum, the player confronts the Dragon Priest Morokei to claim both his mask and the staff.
- Region
- Hjaalmarch
- Getting there
- south-east of Morthal, through the mountain pass
- Connects to
- Labyrinthian, Tribune, Labyrinthian Chasm
- Related quests
- The Staff of Magnus
- Services and people
- Morokei · Savos Aren
- Enemy types
- Skeletons · Draugr · Frost Trolls · Wispmothers · Wisps · Spectral Warhounds · Skeletal Dragon
Items
0/5
Secrets
0/1
Key fights
Enemies: Skeletal Dragon and a swarm of rising Skeletons
Threats: Melee bites, Frost Breath, Frost Cloak; overwhelming numbers from surrounding crypts as skeletons spawn from dirt piles
Weaknesses and resistances: Dragon cannot fly; vulnerable to Fire damage, Turn Undead, and Silver weapons; highly resistant to Frost and immune to Poison/Paralysis
Tactics: Backpedal immediately into the narrow entry doorway to form a chokepoint against the skeletons, use fire-based AoE magic/shouts, and pelt the ground-bound dragon from range
Rewards: Dragon Bones, Dragon Scales, various random low-tier loot from skeleton remains
Enemies: Wispmother and Wisp Shades (with surrounding Wisps)
Threats: Frost magic spells, Frost Storm, life-draining touch, summoning multiple attacking mirror images (Shades) that deal full damage
Weaknesses and resistances: Vulnerable to Fire damage; immune to Frost, Poison, and Paralysis
Tactics: Snipe her from the entrance corridor or duck behind the room's thick stone pillars to break line-of-sight against her frost volleys, then quickly focus down the main Wispmother to dispel her shades
Rewards: Wisp Wrappings, Glow Dust, chest loot in the throne alcove
Enemies: Morokei (Dragon Priest), supported defensively by 2 Enslaved College of Winterhold Ghosts (Savos Aren's former companions)
Threats: Morokei wields the Staff of Magnus to drain Magicka and Health, casts Command/Turn Daedra and high-tier Shock spells, protected by an invulnerable energy shield until his thralls die; levitates over water
Weaknesses and resistances: Vulnerable to physical burst damage and Fire damage; 50% Shock resistance, immune to Frost, Poison, and Paralysis; cannot absorb physical blows
Tactics: Kill the two ghosts channeling energy on the raised flanking platforms to drop Morokei's blue barrier, use Whirlwind Sprint or ranged cover around the stone walkways to avoid his shock spells and staff drain, then stunlock him with heavy physical attacks or archery
Rewards: Staff of Magnus, Dragon Priest Mask: Morokei (100% Magicka Regen), high-value gold and gems
Enemies
Protected by an invulnerable barrier until the two thrall wizards channeling it are defeated
Encounters the player in a large cavern alongside several Skeleton minions; it cannot fly
Accompanied by multiple aggressive Wisps in the subterranean passages
Unique translucent Draugr variants that carry Honed Ancient Nord weapons
Tips
- Bring plenty of Magicka potions or enchanted gear with Magicka cost reduction, as Morokei periodically drains your entire Magicka bar as you traverse the ruins.
- Do not attack Morokei directly while the blue barrier is active; eliminate the two Enthralled Wizards on the platforms above to drop his shield.
- Lightning resistance gear or potions are very helpful in the final chamber, as Morokei primarily attacks using potent shock spells from the Staff of Magnus.
Not listed for this area: shops and people.
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