PoE 2: Burning Monolith Unveiled

The Burning Monolith: A Path of Exile 2 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 more challenging experience. 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 serves as 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). Completing these Citadels yields the three necessary Crisis Fragments. Once acquired, combine them at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Prepare a powerful build; the Arbiter of Ash is the game's most formidable pinnacle boss, boasting devastating attacks and immense health.

The Citadel Hunt: A Test of Patience

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss that drops a corresponding Crisis Fragment. The primary challenge lies in their elusive nature.

Citadels are one-time attempts. Their location on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable. Community strategies, while not guaranteed, suggest:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you locate a Citadel. Utilizing Towers provides a broader map view.
2. Following Corruption: Focus on Atlas nodes exhibiting corruption, clearing them efficiently, unlocking nearby Towers, and repeating the process. This strategy can be combined with directional exploration.
3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels tend to cluster together. Finding one may increase the likelihood of discovering the others nearby.

Citadel hunting is a late-game endeavor, best undertaken with a fully optimized build.

Alternative Acquisition: Trading

Crisis Fragments, the objective of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased via the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange. However, their rarity often results in a high price tag. This cost may be preferable to the considerable time investment required for hunting them independently.