Citadels Discovered: Uncover Path of Exile 2's Hidden Strongholds

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Elusive Citadels

After conquering the main campaign and Acts 1-3 on Cruel difficulty, Path of Exile 2 players unlock the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Navigating this Atlas reveals various structures, including Realmgates, Lost Towers, Burning Monoliths, and the enigmatic Citadels. This guide focuses on locating and utilizing these challenging endgame objectives.

Citadels, unlike readily visible structures, present a unique challenge. While Lost Towers pierce the Fog of War, and Realmgates/Burning Monoliths are near the Atlas starting point, Citadels require more strategic searching. The 0.1.1 update improves Citadel visibility, but if you're still struggling, these tips will help.

The Purpose of Citadels

PoE 2 Citadels are unique map nodes, appearing as Iron, Copper, or Stone varieties. Each houses a powerful, endgame-enhanced version of a campaign boss:

• Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Identified by large black city walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, the Abomination (Act 2 boss). Appears as a large encampment surrounding the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Resembles a stone pyramid, similar to Act 3 ziggurats.

Defeating these bosses yields Crisis Fragments – keys to the Burning Monolith and its pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This completes the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest.

Accessing a Citadel requires a minimum Tier 15 Waystone. Remember, each Citadel attempt is a single, unforgiving run. Success yields valuable loot; failure means searching the Atlas anew.

Efficient Citadel Hunting

The 0.1.1 update significantly enhances Citadel visibility. Bright beacons now mark their locations, even through the Fog of War.

If beacons remain elusive, employ these strategies:

1. Strategic Pathing: Travel in straight lines across the Atlas, maximizing Fog of War removal and map exploration.
2. Lost Tower Exploration: Investigate Lost Towers; clearing them reveals surrounding areas, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.
3. Biome Targeting: Citadels tend to spawn in specific biomes:
   • Iron Citadels: Grass or Forest biomes
   • Copper Citadels: Desert biomes
   • Stone Citadels: Coastal areas of any biome
4. Targeted Searches: Once a Citadel is found, assume others are distant. Multiple Citadels rarely cluster together. Explore in drastically different directions after each discovery.

Post-0.1.1 update, Citadels should be visible within a few map screens of explored areas. If not, revert to the straight-line pathing strategy; the beacons will guide you.