Valkyn Skoria – City of Ash II Final Boss
Overview
The final boss of City of Ash II, Valkyn Skoria, is one of the most infamous PUG killers in The Elder Scrolls Online. Even after adjustments, he remains one of the hardest base-game dungeon bosses. The encounter takes place across multiple circular platforms surrounded by lava.
There are five platforms in total. As the fight progresses, each platform is destroyed in sequence, forcing your group to reposition before the next explosion. If all platforms are gone — it’s game over.
Hard Mode removes two platforms, leaving only three. This significantly increases the pressure on group coordination and reaction time. Watch your feet, manage taunts, and focus. The tank should always hold Skoria in the center of whichever platform he’s currently on, while the group forms a semi-circle behind him.
Mechanics
Heavy Attack – A devastating melee hit that causes a large knockback, often into the lava. This attack must be blocked and should only ever target the tank. DPS or healers caught by this will likely die instantly.
Fireball – Skoria periodically targets a random player with a fireball. Move quickly or dodge roll to avoid being launched backward into the lava.
Fossilize – Skoria petrifies a random player, turning them to stone. This can be dodge rolled if you react fast enough. If hit, you must break free immediately.
Flame Wheel – Skoria summons a circular pattern of flame spokes that radiate outward like a wagon wheel. Avoid standing in the fire lines by positioning in the gaps between them until the effect fades.
Smash Platform – At intervals, Skoria stabs the center of the current platform, causing it to crumble. When this happens, move quickly to the next platform before it collapses.
Atronachs & Damage Shield – Upon jumping to a new platform, Skoria raises his sword, spawning Flame Atronachs. These adds should be quickly AoE’d down. While channeling, he gains a small damage shield and fires frequent fireballs. Break his shield by dealing consistent damage to interrupt this cycle.
Hard Mode Tips
In Hard Mode, with only three platforms available, Skoria’s mechanics become much less forgiving. Every misplaced dodge or mistimed block can result in immediate failure.
- Tank: Keep Skoria centered on the platform. Never let him face the group. Save defensive ultimates for when platforms are about to break.
- DPS: Burn Atronachs quickly. Their fireballs add up fast. Stay spread out so multiple players aren’t hit by the same fireball.
- Healer: Prioritize burst healing after each knockback or platform jump. Anticipate fire AoEs and maintain shields before transitions.
Remember: patience beats panic. Platform control and awareness are everything here. Once you understand the flow, this fight becomes manageable — but one wrong move can still cost you the run. However, be mindful, that while you may run out of platforms and think it is all over, it may well not be. It's just harder now to stay alive with less places to stand!