Path of Exile 2's Endgame: Unveiling the Secrets of Citadels
After conquering the main campaign and Acts 1-3 on Cruel difficulty, Path of Exile 2 players unlock the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Navigating this expansive map reveals various structures, including Realmgates, Lost Towers, Burning Monoliths, and the enigmatic Citadels. This guide focuses on locating and utilizing these challenging endgame objectives.
Citadels: Endgame Powerhouses
Citadels are unique map nodes, appearing in three forms: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each houses a significantly empowered campaign boss:
- Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Visually identified by its large city with black walls.
- Copper Citadel: Jamanra, the Abomination (Act 2 boss). Appears as a large encampment surrounding the map node.
- Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Resembles a stone pyramid, similar to Act 3's ziggurats.
Defeating these bosses yields Crisis Fragments, crucial keys for accessing the Burning Monolith and its pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This is essential for completing the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest. Citadels are one-time encounters; once completed, they cannot be revisited.
Accessing and Conquering Citadels
Players need at least a Tier 15 Waystone to access a Citadel's map node. Similar to other maps, successful completion requires defeating the boss without dying. The rewards are substantial, including valuable loot.
Finding the Elusive Citadels
The 0.1.1 update significantly improves Citadel visibility. A prominent beacon of light now marks their location, visible even through the Fog of War.
If Citadels remain elusive, employ these strategies:
- Strategic Pathing: Travel in a straight line to reveal maximum Fog of War and expand your Atlas view.
- Lost Tower Exploration: Lost Towers reveal significant surrounding areas, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.
- Biome Targeting: Citadel types tend to spawn in specific biomes:
- Iron Citadels: Grass or Forest biomes
- Copper Citadels: Desert biomes
- Stone Citadels: Coastal areas of any biome
Remember, multiple Citadels rarely cluster together. After discovering one, explore in a completely different direction to increase your chances of finding more. With the 0.1.1 update's improved visibility, Citadels should be readily apparent within a few screens of your explored map areas. If not, revert to the straight-line pathing strategy.
