Discover Secrets: Unlocking Citadels in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2: Unlocking 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 Atlas reveals various structures, including Realmgates, Lost Towers, Burning Monoliths, and the elusive Citadels. This guide focuses on locating and utilizing Citadels.

Citadels: Endgame Powerhouses

Citadels are unique map nodes appearing as Iron, Copper, or Stone variants. Each houses a significantly powered-up campaign boss:

• Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Appears as a large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss). Resembles a large encampment.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Looks like a stone pyramid.

Defeating these bosses yields Crisis Fragments, crucial keys to accessing the Burning Monolith and its pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, completing the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest. Citadels are one-time challenges; once completed, they cannot be revisited. A minimum Tier 15 Waystone is needed to access and activate each Citadel.

Finding Citadels: Strategies and Tips

The 0.1.1 update significantly improves Citadel visibility. A prominent beacon now marks their location, even through the Fog of War.

If beacons aren't immediately visible:

• Strategic Pathing: Travel in a straight line to reveal maximum Fog of War.
• Lost Tower Exploration: Investigate Lost Towers; clearing them reveals surrounding areas, potentially revealing nearby Citadels.
• Biome Targeting: Citadels tend to spawn in specific biomes:
  • Iron Citadels: Grass or Forest biomes
  • Copper Citadels: Desert biomes
  • Stone Citadels: Coastal areas of any biome
• Avoid Clustering: Citadels rarely cluster. After finding one, explore in a completely different direction.

With the 0.1.1 update's improved visibility, Citadels should be easily spotted within a few screens of revealed map areas. If not, revert to the strategic pathing method described above. The beacons will guide you.