Path of Exile 2: How To Find More Citadels

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Elusive Citadels

After conquering the main campaign and completing Acts 1-3 on Cruel difficulty, players unlock the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Navigating this Atlas presents unique challenges and gameplay mechanics, with Citadels standing out as particularly elusive endgame objectives. Unlike readily visible structures like Lost Towers, Realmgates, and Burning Monoliths, Citadels require a bit more hunting. However, the 0.1.1 update significantly improves their visibility.

The Importance of Citadels

Citadels are unique map nodes, appearing as Iron, Copper, or Stone variants. Each houses a significantly empowered campaign boss:

• Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Identified by its large city appearance with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, the Abomination (Act 2 boss). Appears as a large encampment surrounding the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Resembles a stone pyramid, similar to Act 3 ziggurats.

Defeating these bosses yields Crisis Fragments—keys to unlocking the Burning Monolith and its pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, thus completing the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest. Citadels offer exceptional loot, but each is a one-time challenge; once completed, they cannot be revisited. A Tier 15 or higher Waystone is needed to access and activate them.

Strategic Citadel Hunting

The 0.1.1 update introduces a significant improvement: Citadels now emit a visible beacon, even through the Fog of War.

If beacons aren't immediately apparent, employ these strategies:

• Linear Exploration: Travel in a straight line across the Atlas to maximize Fog of War clearing and map visibility.
• Lost Tower Strategy: Prioritize clearing Lost Towers; their completion reveals a large area, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.
• Biome Targeting: Citadels tend to spawn in specific biomes:
  • Iron Citadels: Grass or Forest biomes
  • Copper Citadels: Desert biomes
  • Stone Citadels: Coastal areas of any biome
• Avoid Clustering: Multiple Citadels rarely appear close together. After finding one, explore in a completely different direction.

With the 0.1.1 update's improved visibility, Citadels should be easily spotted within a few map screens of your explored area. If not, revert to the linear exploration strategy to uncover their beacons. Happy hunting!