"Path of Exile 2: Tips for Finding More 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 the Atlas map, players will encounter various unique structures, each with its own gameplay mechanics or challenges. These include the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the highly sought-after Citadels.

Citadels are among the most elusive endgame objectives in Path of Exile 2. While Lost Towers rise above the Fog of War and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith appear near the Atlas start point, Citadels can be harder to spot. However, with the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more visible from a distance. If you're struggling to find any on your Atlas map, here are some tips to help you locate more Citadels.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are a unique type of map node available in three varieties: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel hosts a different boss, repurposed from the PoE 2 campaign with significant power-ups to suit endgame challenges. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, which serves as a key to access the Burning Monolith, the home of the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This completion is crucial for the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, unlocked after entering the Burning Monolith map and inspecting the locked door.

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

To access a Citadel, players must use a Tier 15 Waystone or higher to travel to its map node and activate it. Like other maps, you have one chance to navigate through and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are highly rewarding, not only for the Crisis Fragments but also for the exceptional loot dropped by the bosses. Once completed, a Citadel cannot be re-run; you must continue exploring the Atlas to find another.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, Path of Exile 2 makes Citadels easier to spot from a distance on the Atlas map. Each Citadel will now have a large beacon of light visible through the Fog of War, guiding players more efficiently to their locations.

If you don't see any Citadels nearby on your Atlas map, the best strategy to find more is to move in a straight line in one direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you reveal, giving you a broader view of the Atlas map. Along your path, make sure to head towards any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will clear a large area of Fog around them, potentially revealing nearby Citadels.

Each type of Citadel tends to spawn in specific biomes:

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

If you're hunting for a particular type of Citadel to access the Burning Monolith, navigate towards areas on your map that match the appropriate biome type.

Once you find a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely appear on the same screen when fully zoomed out. To locate more Citadels after finding your first, take a completely different path from your previous route.

With the 0.1.1 update, you should be able to spot Citadel beacons within a few screens of your revealed map areas. If you still can't see any Citadels within the Fog of War, continue moving in a straight line in one direction, and you should eventually see a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.