The Burning Monolith: Path of Exile 2's Endgame Challenge
The Burning Monolith, a unique map location in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles a Realmgate and is found near the starting area of your mapping journey. However, accessing it is far from straightforward.
Unlocking the Burning Monolith
Accessing the Burning Monolith requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel. Citadels are exceptionally rare and challenging map nodes within the Atlas. 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 necessary Crisis Fragments. Once you possess all three, activate the altar within the Burning Monolith to face the Arbiter of Ash.
Prepare for the Arbiter of Ash
Ensure your character build is optimized before engaging the Arbiter of Ash. This pinnacle boss is the game's most formidable, boasting devastating attacks and millions of HP.
Locating the Elusive Citadels
Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss. Securing the associated Crisis Fragment requires defeating these bosses. The primary challenge lies in discovering their locations.
Citadel Considerations
Citadels are one-time attempts. Their placement on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable, with no established pattern. Community-derived strategies, while not guaranteed, include:
- Linear Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you locate a Citadel. Utilize Towers for a broader map view.
- Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's periphery. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This complements the linear approach.
- Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often appear in close proximity. Finding one may increase your chances of quickly finding the others.
Citadel hunting is a late-game endeavor, best undertaken when your build is highly optimized and boss encounters are routine.
Alternative Acquisition
Crisis Fragments can be purchased via trading websites or the Currency Exchange. However, their rarity often commands a high price, making this a costly but potentially time-saving alternative.
