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 but presents a significantly greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – exceptionally rare and difficult map nodes.
Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash
The Burning Monolith is the arena for the endgame pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. Attempting 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). Successfully completing these Citadels yields the three necessary Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Be prepared – this boss is incredibly powerful, boasting devastating attacks and immense health.
The Citadel Hunt
Three Citadels exist in PoE 2: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel houses a unique map boss; defeating it grants the corresponding Crisis Fragment. The primary difficulty lies in locating these Citadels.
Citadels are one-time attempts. Their placement is randomized across player Atlases, making their discovery unpredictable. Community strategies, while not guaranteed, suggest:
- Systematic Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until a Citadel is found. Utilizing Towers provides a broader map view.
- Corruption Tracking: Focus on Atlas nodes displaying corruption. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This method can be combined with the first.
- Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often appear in groups. Finding one may indicate proximity to others.
Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build.
Alternative Acquisition
Crisis Fragments, the ultimate goal of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased via trading websites or currency exchanges. However, their rarity often results in high prices. Weigh the cost against the time investment of hunting them yourself.
