Upon completing the main campaign and overcoming the Cruel difficulty in Acts 1 to 3, players transition into the Endgame and gain access to the Atlas of Worlds. In the Atlas map of Path of Exile 2, players will find an array of unique structures that offer distinct gameplay mechanics or challenges, such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and Citadels.
Finding Citadels can be quite tricky as they are one of the most elusive endgame targets. The Lost Towers loom over the Fog of War, and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith are positioned near the Atlas starting point. The upcoming 0.1.1 update will enhance their visibility from afar. If your Atlas map isn’t revealing any, here are some helpful tips to uncover more Citadels in PoE 2.
What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?
Citadels in Path of Exile 2 are a distinct kind of map node, available in three forms: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each one is home to a different Boss, which is a revamped version of those from the PoE 2 campaign, now with enhanced abilities for endgame play. Defeating these bosses will grant you a Crisis Fragment.
Essentially, these are the Pinnacle Boss keys required to unlock the Burning Monolith, the lair of the Atlas pinnacle boss known as the Arbiter of Ash. Once you enter the Burning Monolith map for the first time and take a look at the locked door, you’ll be able to complete the “Pinnacle of Flame” quest.
- Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Should appear as a large city with black walls.
- Copper Citadel: Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss). Looks like a large encampment circling the map node.
- Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Resembles a stone pyramid, similar to the ziggurats in Act 3.
To access Citadels, players in PoE 2 need to utilize a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to reach the map node and activate the Citadel. Just like with other Maps, you have a single opportunity to navigate through the map and take down the boss without meeting your demise.
These locations are definitely worth the extra effort, not only for the Crisis Fragments but also for the opportunity to snag some fantastic loot from the bosses. Once you’ve finished a Citadel, you can’t go back for a second run. Your best bet is to navigate through the Atlas to discover a new one.
How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2
With the release of update 0.1.1, players will find Citadels on the Atlas map in Path of Exile 2 much more visible from a distance. The new patch introduces a prominent light beacon above each Citadel, cutting through the Fog of War and guiding players to their destinations with ease.
If there are no Citadels visible on the Atlas map near you, the most effective method to discover additional Citadel locations is to travel in a straight line in one direction. This approach uncovers the most Fog of War and broadens your perspective of the Atlas map significantly. As you journey, make sure to head towards any Lost Towers you encounter—completing these will unveil a large section of Fog around the tower, potentially revealing a nearby Citadel.
Each of the three Citadel types usually appears in a particular biome. If you’re on the lookout for a specific Citadel to access the Burning Monolith, try heading towards any uncovered region on your map that matches the right biome.
- Iron Citadels tend to spawn in Grass or Forest biomes
- Copper Citadels tend to spawn in Desert biomes
- Stone Citadels tend to spawn along the coast of any biome
After you discover a Citadel, you can usually assume that there aren’t any others nearby. It’s quite unusual for multiple Citadels to appear on the same screen of the Atlas map when fully zoomed out. To uncover more Citadels after your first, consider moving in a straight line in a completely different direction from where you just came.
The 0.1.1 update allows you to spot Citadel beacons within a few screens of the areas you’ve already revealed on the map. If you can’t find any Citadels hidden in the fog of war after the patch is released, just stick to the same strategies: move in a straight line in one direction, and you should eventually come across a beacon in the fog to lead you.