"Path of Exile 2: Strategies for Locating Citadels"
After completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3 in *Path of Exile 2*, players gain access to the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Navigating the Atlas map, players will encounter various unique structures, each with distinct gameplay mechanics and challenges, including the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and notably, Citadels.
Citadels are among the most elusive endgame objectives in *Path of Exile 2*. While Lost Towers stand tall 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 having trouble locating them, here are some tips to help you find more Citadels in *PoE 2*.
What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?
In *Path of Exile 2*, Citadels are unique map nodes categorized into three types: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel hosts a different Boss, which are enhanced versions of bosses from the *PoE 2* campaign, designed to be formidable endgame challenges. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, essential for accessing the Burning Monolith, home to the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This is key to completing the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, which players unlock upon entering the Burning Monolith map and examining 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 circling the map node.
- Stone Citadel: Home to Doryani (Act 3 boss), resembling a stone pyramid similar to the ziggurats 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. Similar to other maps, you get one chance to navigate through and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are highly rewarding, not just for the Crisis Fragments, but also for the exceptional loot the bosses drop. Once completed, a Citadel cannot be re-run, so players must continue exploring the Atlas to find another.
How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2
With the 0.1.1 update, locating Citadels in *Path of Exile 2* becomes much easier due to a large beacon of light that marks their location, visible through the Fog of War. This beacon aids in guiding players to each Citadel more efficiently.
If you don't see any Citadels nearby on your Atlas map, the best strategy is to move in a straight line in a single direction. This approach reveals the most Fog of War and expands your view of the overall Atlas map. Along the way, make sure to head towards any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these reveals a large area of Fog around the tower, potentially uncovering a nearby Citadel.
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.
Once you find a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another one nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn on the same screen of the Atlas map when fully zoomed out. To find more, continue in a straight line but 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 explored areas. If you don't see any beacons in the Fog of War after the update, continue using these tips: move in a straight line in a single direction, and you'll eventually see a beacon guiding you to your next Citadel.
