Path of Exile 2: Unveiling the Burning Monolith

The Burning Monolith: Path of Exile 2's Endgame Challenge

The Burning Monolith, a unique map node on the Atlas of Worlds, resembles the Realmgate and appears near the starting point of your mapping journey. However, accessing it presents a significant challenge.

Unlocking the Burning Monolith requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – an exceptionally rare and difficult-to-locate map node.

Conquering the Burning Monolith in Path of Exile 2

The Burning Monolith is the arena for the endgame pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. Your first attempt to activate the Monolith's door initiates the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, comprising three sub-quests: Ezomyte Infiltration (Iron Citadel), Faridun Foray (Copper Citadel), and Vaal Incursion (Stone Citadel). Completing these Citadels yields the three necessary Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter.

Prepare meticulously before engaging the Arbiter of Ash. This pinnacle boss is the game's most formidable, boasting devastating attacks and millions of hit points.

Locating Citadels in Path of Exile 2

PoE 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique map boss you must defeat to acquire its associated Crisis Fragment. The primary difficulty lies in their elusive nature.

Citadels are one-time attempts.

Due to the Atlas's randomized generation, Citadel locations vary across player experiences. While no guaranteed method exists, community observations suggest these strategies:

1. Select a direction on the Atlas and explore persistently until you locate a Citadel. Utilizing Towers offers broader map visibility.
2. Follow the corruption. Scan the Atlas periphery for corrupted nodes. Prioritize these nodes, ensuring successful completion, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This method complements the first.
3. Citadels often cluster. Discovering one increases the likelihood of finding the others nearby.

Citadel hunting is time-intensive and best suited for the late endgame, when your character is highly optimized and boss encounters are routine.

Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via trading websites or the Currency Exchange. However, their rarity commands a high price, making direct acquisition a potentially worthwhile alternative to the arduous hunt.