Path of Exile 2: Strategies for Locating More Citadels

Upon completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3 in Path of Exile 2, players unlock the Endgame and gain access to the Atlas of Worlds. Within this expansive map, players will encounter various unique structures such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the highly sought-after Citadels. These Citadels are among the most elusive endgame objectives. While Lost Towers are visible above the Fog of War and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith appear near the Atlas start point, the 0.1.1 update will make Citadels more noticeable from a distance. If you're struggling to locate them, here are some strategies to find more Citadels in Path of Exile 2.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are special map nodes that come in three types: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel is home to a unique Boss, repurposed from the PoE 2 campaign with enhanced abilities suitable for an endgame challenge. Defeating these bosses will reward you with a Crisis Fragment, which serves as a key to access the Burning Monolith, where the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, resides. Completing this encounter fulfills the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, unlocked after your first visit to the Burning Monolith and examining the locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Home to Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), appearing as a large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Hosts Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), resembling a large encampment circling the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Contains Doryani (Act 3 boss), appearing as a stone pyramid, reminiscent of the ziggurats in Act 3.

To access a Citadel, players must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to travel to its map node and activate it. Similar to other Maps, you have only one attempt to navigate through and defeat the boss without dying. The rewards are not just the Crisis Fragments but also the potential for exceptional loot. Once completed, a Citadel cannot be revisited; players must explore the Atlas further to find another.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, Citadels in Path of Exile 2 become more visible from a distance on the Atlas map. A large beacon of light will now illuminate above each Citadel, visible through the Fog of War, guiding players more efficiently to these locations.

If you don't see any Citadels near your current location on the Atlas map, the best strategy to find more is to move in as straight a line as possible in one direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you uncover, expanding your view of the Atlas map. Along the way, make sure to visit any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will reveal a large area of Fog around the tower, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.

Each type of Citadel tends to spawn in specific biomes:

• Iron Citadels are commonly found in Grass or Forest biomes.
• Copper Citadels typically appear in Desert biomes.
• Stone Citadels are often located along the coast of any biome.

If you're targeting a specific Citadel to access the Burning Monolith, head towards areas on your map that match the appropriate biome type.

Once you find a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn on the same zoomed-out screen of the Atlas map. To locate more Citadels after discovering one, take a completely different path from your previous route.

With the 0.1.1 update, you should be able to spot Citadel beacons within a few screens of your explored areas. If you still can't see any Citadels within the fog of war post-update, continue following the strategy of moving in a straight line in one direction, and you should eventually spot a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.