Unleashing Path of Exile 2's Inferno: Exploring the Ardent Monolith

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 the Realmgate but presents a significantly greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – an exceptionally rare and difficult map node.

Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash

The Burning Monolith serves as the arena for the endgame pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. 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). Successfully completing these Citadels yields the three essential Crisis Fragments. Combine these Fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Be prepared; this boss is notoriously difficult, boasting devastating attacks and immense health.

The Citadel Hunt: A Grueling End-Game Pursuit

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

Key Considerations:

• Single Attempt: Citadels can only be attempted once.
• Random Generation: Their location on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable.

Strategies (with caveats):

1. Directional Progression: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you locate a Citadel. Utilizing Towers for a broader view is recommended.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on map nodes exhibiting corruption, clearing them efficiently and using Towers to scout nearby areas.
3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels tend to cluster together.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build and considerable boss-fighting experience.

Alternative Acquisition:

Crisis Fragments, the ultimate goal of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased through the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange. However, their rarity often commands a high price. Weigh the cost against the considerable time investment required for the hunt.