Path of Exile 2: Tips for Locating More Citadels

After conquering the main campaign and the grueling challenges of Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3 in Path of Exile 2, players unlock the Endgame and gain access to the expansive Atlas of Worlds. Navigating through the Atlas map, you'll encounter a variety of unique structures that introduce new gameplay mechanics or challenges, such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the elusive Citadels.

Citadels stand out as one of the most sought-after endgame objectives. They rise mysteriously above the Fog of War, while the Realmgate and Burning Monolith are more readily found near the starting point of the Atlas. With the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more visible from a distance, but if you're struggling to locate them on your Atlas map, here are some effective strategies to uncover more Citadels in Path of Exile 2.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are special map nodes categorized into three types: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel hosts a unique Boss, reimagined from the campaign bosses of PoE 2, now significantly enhanced to serve as formidable endgame adversaries. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, essential for unlocking the Burning Monolith, where the pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, awaits. This culminates in the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, initiated upon your first entry into the Burning Monolith and inspection of its locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Home to Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), it appears as a large city encased by black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), is found in what looks like a sprawling encampment encircling the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss) resides within a structure resembling a stone pyramid, akin to the ziggurats seen in Act 3.

Upon discovering a Citadel, players must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to access its map node and activate it. Like other Maps, you get only one shot at conquering the Citadel and defeating its boss without dying. These areas are not only critical for collecting Crisis Fragments but also offer a chance at exceptional loot. Once completed, a Citadel cannot be revisited; players must continue exploring the Atlas to find new ones.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, Path of Exile 2 makes Citadels more noticeable from afar on the Atlas map. A large beacon of light will now illuminate above their location, piercing through the Fog of War to guide players to these key spots more efficiently.

If no Citadels are visible near your current position on the Atlas map, the best strategy to uncover more is to move in a straight line in one direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you reveal, thus expanding your view of the Atlas map. Along your path, make sure to explore any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing them clears a significant portion of the surrounding Fog, potentially revealing a Citadel in the vicinity.

Each Citadel type has a tendency to spawn in specific biomes, which can guide your search:

• Iron Citadels are commonly found in Grass or Forest biomes.
• Copper Citadels typically appear in Desert biomes.
• Stone Citadels are often located along the coast of any biome.

After locating a Citadel, it's unlikely you'll find another nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely spawn within the same zoomed-out screen on the Atlas map. To discover more Citadels, continue in a different direction from your previous path.

Post-0.1.1 update, any Citadel beacons should be visible within a few screens of your explored areas. If you still don't spot any Citadels in the Fog of War, persist with the strategy of moving in a straight line. Eventually, you should see a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.