Quick Look
- Breach the barrier around the college with the Staff of Magnus.
- Confront Ancano in the Hall of the Elements.
- Defeat Ancano with the help of the Staff of Magnus.
In Depth
After returning to the College of Winterhold with the Staff of Magnus, use it to breach the magical barrier around the college and enter the Hall of the Elements with Tolfdir.
Ancano and Tolfdir
will talk for a short time before Tolfdir launches a spell at him, but
with no effect. Tolfdir is knocked down and remains incapacitated while
Ancano attacks. He will still have his protective barrier, which can be
removed by using the Staff of Magnus on the Eye of Magnus. It is
important to use the Staff for a sufficient amount of time on the Eye of
Magnus—until it returns to a solid, non-glowing sphere—because the
protective barrier gives Ancano near immunity to magic and physical
attacks when the Eye of Magnus is only partially weakened. When the glow
surrounding Ancano dissipates he will be vulnerable to attacks. During
the fight he may approach the Eye and regain his protective barrier,
which must be removed again. When the Eye separates into several
hovering and rotating pieces, it is gaining strength, so Magic Anomalies
may appear; be sure to use the staff on the Eye, so as to get it to
lose more power and return to its original form for some time. The Magic
Anomalies will yield soul gems when killed, allowing the Staff of
Magnus to be recharged if it depletes during the battle.
It is possible to leave Ancano to fight the magic anomalies and get himself killed that way, as they will attack him as well.
When Ancano is defeated several members of the Psijic Order
will appear once more. The player is congratulated on their efforts,
and declared worthy of being the new Arch-Mage. They will also state
that the Eye of Magnus is unstable, and too dangerous for this world.
Shortly after they will vanish in a glow of light, along with the Eye.
After speaking with Tolfdir he will agree that with the old arch mage
dead, you are now the best person to be Arch-Mage, and will give you
the key to the Arch Mage's Quarters and the Archmage's Robes.
