How to Get More Citadels In Path of Exile 2

After completing the main campaign and progressing through the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 to 3, players unlock the Endgame and gain access to the Atlas of Worlds. The Atlas map is packed with unique structures and mechanics, including the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and one of the most sought-after objectives—Citadels.

Citadels play a crucial role in the endgame but are among the trickiest structures to locate. While Lost Towers and Burning Monoliths are relatively easy to spot near the Atlas starting point, Citadels remain shrouded in mystery for many players. Fortunately, the 0.1.1 update aims to improve their visibility, making them easier to find from a distance.

If you’re struggling to uncover Citadels on your Atlas, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll share effective tips and strategies to help you locate more Citadels and progress smoothly through Path of Exile 2’s endgame content. Let’s dive in!

What Are Citadels in Path of Exile 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are special endgame map nodes that come in three distinct types: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel features a powerful boss that has been reworked and significantly enhanced from its original appearance in the PoE 2 campaign, making these encounters a true test of skill for endgame players. Defeating these bosses rewards you with a Crisis Fragment, a crucial item needed to progress toward the Atlas Pinnacle Boss.

The Role of Citadels and Crisis Fragments

Crisis Fragments serve as keys to access the Burning Monolith, which houses the pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. To complete the “Pinnacle of Flame” quest, you’ll need to collect all three Crisis Fragments by defeating the bosses within each Citadel. Here’s a breakdown of the Citadel types and their respective bosses:
• Iron Citadel: Features Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). This Citadel is visually marked by its towering black city walls.
• Copper Citadel: Features Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss). This Citadel resembles a sprawling encampment surrounding the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Features Doryani (Act 3 boss). It takes the shape of a massive stone pyramid, much like the ziggurats seen in Act 3.

Accessing and Completing Citadels

To access a Citadel, players must use a Tier 15 Waystone or higher to travel to the corresponding map node. Once inside, you’ll have only one chance to clear the Citadel and defeat the boss, as dying will prevent you from retrying that specific Citadel. Additionally, each Citadel can only be completed once, so once it’s cleared, you’ll need to explore further in the Atlas to locate another.

Why Citadels Are Worth the Effort

Citadels are not just necessary for progressing through the Atlas and unlocking the Arbiter of Ash; they’re also incredibly rewarding in terms of loot. The bosses within these areas drop high-value items, making them worthwhile objectives for any endgame player. Successfully completing a Citadel not only helps you advance your endgame goals but also provides opportunities to earn powerful gear and currency.

With their unique mechanics, tough bosses, and valuable rewards, Citadels are a key feature of Path of Exile 2’s endgame, offering both challenge and reward for players ready to take them on.

How to Find Citadels in Path of Exile 2

With the release of the 0.1.1 update, locating Citadels in Path of Exile 2 has become significantly more manageable. The update introduces a prominent beacon of light above each Citadel, visible even through the Fog of War, making it easier for players to spot these vital endgame nodes on the Atlas map.

If no Citadels are visible near your current location, the most effective way to uncover new ones is to chart a path in a straight line across the Atlas. This approach maximizes the amount of Fog of War you reveal and broadens your view of unexplored areas. As you progress, prioritize routing through Lost Towers, as clearing these towers will unveil a large section of the surrounding Fog, potentially exposing a hidden Citadel nearby.

Each type of Citadel is more likely to spawn in specific biomes, so targeting the right terrain can improve your chances of finding the Citadel you need to progress toward the Burning Monolith. Here’s where each type of Citadel typically appears:
• Iron Citadels: Found in Grassland or Forest biomes.
• Copper Citadels: Commonly appear in Desert biomes.
• Stone Citadels: Often located along coastal areas within any biome.

Once you discover a Citadel, it’s unlikely there will be another one nearby. Citadels rarely spawn in close proximity to each other, so after clearing one, your best strategy is to move in a straight line in a new direction on the Atlas map to reveal additional areas.

Thanks to the 0.1.1 update, Citadel beacons can now be seen from several screens away on the Atlas map, even if they’re obscured by Fog of War. If you don’t spot a Citadel immediately, continue exploring in a single direction while uncovering Fog, and the beacon should guide you once it comes into range. With these tips, locating Citadels will be more efficient, ensuring you can gather the Crisis Fragments needed to unlock the Burning Monolith and progress through the Atlas.

Conclusion

Finding Citadels in Path of Exile 2 is an essential part of progressing through the Atlas and collecting the Crisis Fragments needed for endgame challenges like the Burning Monolith. With the improvements introduced in the 0.1.1 update, locating Citadels has become easier, thanks to the visible beacons that shine through the Fog of War. By exploring in straight lines, targeting Lost Towers for additional map reveals, and focusing on specific biomes for each Citadel type, players can efficiently uncover these critical nodes.

Whether you’re hunting for Iron, Copper, or Stone Citadels, following these tips will ensure you can consistently locate them and continue your endgame journey without unnecessary delays. Stay focused, plan your routes wisely, and keep an eye out for those guiding beacons in the Fog—your next Citadel is closer than you think!