The Burning Monolith: A Path of Exile 2 Endgame Challenge
The Burning Monolith, a unique map location in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles a Realmgate but presents a significantly more challenging encounter. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – an exceptionally rare and difficult map node.
Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash
The Burning Monolith serves as the arena for the endgame pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. 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). Successfully completing these Citadels yields the three necessary Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash fight. Prepare a robust build; the Arbiter of Ash is the game's most formidable pinnacle boss, boasting devastating attacks and immense health.
The Citadel Hunt: A Test of Patience
Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss and yielding a corresponding Crisis Fragment. The primary challenge lies not in defeating the bosses, but in locating the Citadels themselves.
Key Considerations:
- One-Time Attempts: Citadels can only be attempted once.
- Random Generation: The Atlas is procedurally generated, making Citadel locations unpredictable.
- Community Theories: While no guaranteed method exists, community observations suggest:
- Directional Progression: Explore the Atlas systematically in a chosen direction.
- Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges.
- Clustered Appearance: Finding one Citadel often indicates others nearby.
Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build.
Alternative Acquisition:
Crisis Fragments, the ultimate goal of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased from online trading platforms or the in-game Currency Exchange. However, their rarity often commands a high price. Weigh the time investment against the cost before deciding on your approach.
