After completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3 in Path of Exile 2, players gain access to the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Within the Atlas map, players encounter various unique structures such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and notably, Citadels. These Citadels are among the most elusive endgame objectives. While Lost Towers rise above the Fog of War, and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith appear near the Atlas start point, Citadels can be challenging to locate. With the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more visible from a distance, but if you're struggling to find them, here are some tips to help you discover more Citadels in PoE 2.
What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?
In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are unique map nodes categorized into three types: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel features a distinct Boss, which are enhanced versions of bosses from the PoE 2 campaign. Defeating these bosses yields a Crisis Fragment, essential for unlocking the Burning Monolith, the home of the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. Completing this challenge fulfills the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, which you unlock after your initial entry into the Burning Monolith map and inspecting the locked door.
- Iron Citadel: Hosts Count Geonor (Act 1 boss) and appears as a large city with black walls.
- Copper Citadel: Features Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), and looks like a large encampment surrounding the map node.
- Stone Citadel: Contains Doryani (Act 3 boss) and resembles a stone pyramid, akin to the ziggurats in Act 3.
To access a Citadel, players must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to travel to its map node and activate it. You get only one attempt to navigate the map and defeat the boss without dying. Citadels are not only crucial for obtaining Crisis Fragments but also offer a chance at exceptional loot. Once completed, you cannot re-run a Citadel, making it important to find new ones through the Atlas.
How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2
With the 0.1.1 update, Citadels in Path of Exile 2 become more visible thanks to a large beacon of light that extends above their location, visible even through the Fog of War. This beacon guides players more efficiently towards each Citadel. If you don't see any Citadels nearby on your Atlas map, the best strategy is to move in a straight line in one direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you reveal and expands your view of the overall Atlas map. Additionally, make sure to head towards any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these reveals a significant area around the tower, potentially uncovering a nearby Citadel.
Each Citadel type tends to spawn in specific biomes:
- Iron Citadels are commonly found in Grass or Forest biomes.
- Copper Citadels typically appear in Desert biomes.
- Stone Citadels are often located along the coast of any biome.
When you find a Citadel, it's unlikely you'll find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn on the same zoomed-out screen of the Atlas map. To find more Citadels after locating one, continue in a straight line but in a completely different direction from your previous path.
With the 0.1.1 update, spotting Citadel beacons within a few screens of your explored map areas should be easier. If you still don't see any Citadels in the fog of war, stick to the strategy of moving in a straight line in one direction. Eventually, you should spot a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.
