Path of Exile 2: Unveiling the Blazing 'Burning Monolith'

The Burning Monolith: A Path of Exile 2 Endgame Challenge

The Burning Monolith, a unique map location in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles a Realmgate but presents a significantly greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – exceptionally rare and difficult map nodes.

Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash

The Burning Monolith is the lair of the Arbiter of Ash, the game's most formidable pinnacle boss. 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 crucial Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Ensure your character build is optimized before engaging this incredibly powerful boss.

The Citadel Hunt

Three Citadels – Iron, Copper, and Stone – each guarded by a unique boss, hold the key to the Crisis Fragments. Their rarity is the primary obstacle.

Citadels are one-time attempts. Their placement on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable. Community strategies, while not foolproof, include:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction and systematically explore the Atlas, utilizing Towers for broader map visibility.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges, clearing them efficiently and using Towers to scout further.
3. Clustered Discovery: The anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often cluster together. Finding one may lead to the others.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build.

Alternative Acquisition

Crisis Fragments, the ultimate goal of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased via the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange. However, their scarcity often translates to a high price, making this a viable alternative for players prioritizing efficiency over the challenge of the hunt itself.