"Path of Exile 2: Tips for Finding 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, you'll encounter various unique structures, each with distinctive gameplay mechanics or challenges, such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and notably, the Citadels.

Citadels stand out as some of the most elusive objectives in the endgame. While Lost Towers are visible above the Fog of War, and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith spawn near the Atlas start point, Citadels are harder to spot. However, with the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will be more visible from a distance, but if you're struggling to locate them, follow these strategies to find more Citadels in Path of Exile 2.

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 type houses a different Boss, repurposed from the PoE 2 campaign but significantly powered up for the endgame. Defeating these bosses rewards you with a Crisis Fragment, which are keys required to unlock the Burning Monolith, the home of the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This action completes the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, which you unlock upon entering the Burning Monolith map and inspecting the locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Home to Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), recognizable by its large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Hosts Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), appearing as a large encampment encircling the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Contains Doryani (Act 3 boss), resembling a stone pyramid akin to 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. Like other maps, you get only one attempt to navigate through and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are highly valuable, not just for the Crisis Fragments but also for the exceptional loot that these bosses drop. Once completed, you can't re-run a Citadel; your next step is to explore the Atlas to find another.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, spotting Citadels on the Atlas map becomes easier as they now feature a large beacon of light visible through the Fog of War, guiding players more efficiently to their locations.

If you're not seeing any Citadels nearby, the best strategy is to move in a straight line in a single direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you uncover, expanding your view of the Atlas map. Along your journey, make sure to visit any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these reveals a large area of Fog around them, potentially unveiling a nearby Citadel.

Each Citadel type tends to spawn in specific biomes:

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

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

Once you've located a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn on the same screen of the Atlas map when fully zoomed out. To find more, take a different path in a new direction 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 through the Fog of War, continue moving in a straight line until you spot a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.