POE2: Guide to the Burning Monolith

The Burning Monolith: Path of Exile 2's Endgame Challenge

The Burning Monolith, a unique map node 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.

Conquering the Burning Monolith

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). Completing these Citadels yields the three essential Crisis Fragments. Combine them at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter.

Prepare meticulously; the Arbiter of Ash boasts devastating attacks and immense health, demanding a highly optimized build.

Locating the Elusive Citadels

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss. The Crisis Fragment for each Citadel is the reward for defeating its boss. The primary difficulty lies in their unpredictable location.

Citadels are one-time attempts.

The Atlas is procedurally generated, making Citadel locations unique to each player. While no definitive strategy exists, community observations suggest:

Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you discover a Citadel. Unlocking Towers provides a broader view of surrounding maps.
Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This strategy complements directional exploration.
Clustered Appearance: Citadels often appear in close proximity. Finding one increases the likelihood of discovering others nearby.

Citadel hunting is a late-game endeavor, best undertaken with a fully optimized build and extensive boss-fighting experience.

Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange, though their rarity commands a high price. This may be a worthwhile investment to avoid the extensive hunt.