After completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3, players in Path of Exile 2 reach the Endgame and gain access to the Atlas of Worlds. Within the Atlas map, players will encounter a variety of unique structures, each offering distinct gameplay mechanics or challenges. These include the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and notably, Citadels.
Citadels stand out as one of 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 spawn near the Atlas start point, Citadels are 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 in PoE 2.
What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?
In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are unique map nodes available in three varieties: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each type houses a different Boss, reimagined from the PoE 2 campaign with significant power-ups to challenge endgame players. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, which serves as a key to the Burning Monolith, the home of the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. Completing this encounter fulfills the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, which you unlock after entering the Burning Monolith map and inspecting the locked door.
- Iron Citadel: Hosts Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), appearing as a large city with black walls.
- Copper Citadel: Features Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), resembling a large encampment around the map node.
- Stone Citadel: Contains Doryani (Act 3 boss), depicted as a stone pyramid similar to the ziggurats found 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 one chance to navigate the Citadel and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are highly rewarding, not only for the Crisis Fragments but also for the potential to obtain exceptional loot from the bosses. Once completed, you cannot re-run a Citadel, so your next step is to explore the Atlas further to find another one.
How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2
With the 0.1.1 update, spotting Citadels on the Atlas map becomes easier due to a large beacon of light that appears above their location, visible even through the Fog of War. This beacon helps guide players directly to Citadel locations.
If you don't see any Citadels near your current position on the Atlas map, the most effective strategy is to move in a straight line in one direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you uncover and expands your overall view of the Atlas map. Along your route, make sure to explore any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will reveal a large area of Fog around the tower, potentially unveiling nearby Citadels.
Each Citadel type tends to spawn in specific biomes, which can guide your search:
- Iron Citadels typically appear in Grass or Forest biomes.
- Copper Citadels are commonly found in Desert biomes.
- Stone Citadels tend to be located along the coast of any biome.
Once you discover a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another one nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn on the same screen of the fully zoomed-out Atlas map. To find more Citadels after your initial discovery, head in a completely different direction from your previous path.
With the 0.1.1 update, you should be able to spot Citadel beacons within a few screens of your revealed map areas. If no beacons are visible in the Fog of War, continue following the straight-line strategy in a single direction. Eventually, you should see a beacon guiding you to a new Citadel.
