Path of Exile 2: Tips for Locating 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, you'll encounter various unique structures that introduce distinct gameplay mechanics or challenges, such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and notably, Citadels.

Citadels are among the most elusive endgame objectives in the game. Lost Towers are visible above the Fog of War, while the Realmgate and Burning Monolith spawn near the Atlas starting point. With the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more noticeable from a distance, but if you're struggling to locate them on your Atlas map, here are some tips to help you find more Citadels in Path of Exile 2.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are a unique type of map node that comes in three varieties: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel houses a different Boss, reintroducing bosses from the PoE 2 campaign with significant power-ups suited for an endgame challenge. Defeating these bosses rewards you with a Crisis Fragment.

Crisis Fragments serve as keys for the Pinnacle Boss encounter in the Burning Monolith, home to the Arbiter of Ash, which is part of the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest you unlock upon entering the Burning Monolith map and inspecting the locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Houses 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), resembling a stone pyramid similar to the ziggurats in Act 3.

To access a Citadel, you must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to travel to its map node and activate it. Like other Maps, you have one attempt to clear the map and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are not only worth exploring for the Crisis Fragments but also for the chance to obtain exceptional loot from the bosses. Once completed, you cannot re-run a Citadel, so you must continue exploring the Atlas to find another.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, Citadels in Path of Exile 2 become significantly more visible from a distance on the Atlas map. They will feature a large beacon of light above their location, visible through the Fog of War, making it easier for players to locate them.

If you don't see any Citadels near your current location on the Atlas map, the best strategy to discover more is to move in as straight a line as possible in a single direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you reveal and expands your overall view of the Atlas map. Along your journey, head towards any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will unveil a large area of Fog around the tower, potentially revealing 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.

If you're targeting a specific Citadel to access the Burning Monolith, navigate towards any revealed areas on your map that match the appropriate biome type.

Once you locate a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn on the same screen of the Atlas map when fully zoomed out. To find additional Citadels after discovering one, head in a straight line in a 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 you still don't see any Citadels in the Fog of War after the patch, follow the same strategy: move in a straight line in one direction until you eventually spot a beacon guiding you to a Citadel.