"Path of Exile 2: Tips for Locating Citadels"

After 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 Atlas map, players will encounter various unique structures, each offering distinct gameplay mechanics and challenges. Notable among these are the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the elusive Citadels.

Citadels are among the most sought-after endgame objectives in Path of Exile 2. Unlike the more visible Lost Towers, which rise above the Fog of War, or the Realmgate and Burning Monolith, which spawn near the Atlas start point, Citadels are harder to spot. However, with the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more visible from a distance, making them easier to locate. If you're struggling to find them on your Atlas map, here are some tips to help you discover more Citadels.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are unique map nodes that come in three varieties: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel houses a different Boss, reimagined from the PoE 2 campaign but significantly powered up for endgame encounters. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, which serves as a key to the Burning Monolith, home to the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. Completing this challenge is essential for the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, unlocked after your first entry into the Burning Monolith and inspection of its locked door.

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

To engage with a Citadel, players must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to travel to its map node and activate it. Remember, you get only one attempt to navigate through the map and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are highly rewarding, not just for the Crisis Fragments but also for the exceptional loot that these bosses drop. Once completed, you cannot re-run a Citadel, so finding new ones is crucial.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, Path of Exile 2 enhances the visibility of Citadels by adding a large beacon of light above their location, visible through the Fog of War. This beacon guides players more efficiently to each Citadel.

If you're not seeing any Citadels near your location on the Atlas map, the best strategy to uncover more is to move in a straight line in a single direction. This approach maximizes the area of the Fog of War you reveal and broadens your view of the Atlas map. Along your path, make sure to visit any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will unveil a significant portion of the surrounding Fog, potentially revealing a nearby Citadel.

Each Citadel type 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.

When hunting for a specific Citadel to gain access to the Burning Monolith, direct your path toward any revealed area on your map that matches the appropriate biome type.

Once you've discovered a Citadel, it's unlikely you'll find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn within the same zoomed-out screen on the Atlas map. To find more, head in a completely different direction from your previous path.

Thanks to the 0.1.1 update, you should now be able to see Citadel beacons within a few screens of your explored areas. If no beacons are visible in the Fog of War after the update, continue following these tips: move in a straight line in one direction, and you'll eventually spot a beacon guiding you to your next Citadel.