Path of Exile 2: Burning Monolith Explained

The Burning Monolith: Path of Exile 2's Endgame Challenge

The Burning Monolith, a unique map location in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles the Realmgate but presents a significantly greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – exceptionally rare and difficult map nodes.

Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash

The Burning Monolith serves as the arena for the endgame pinnacle boss, Arbiter of Ash. Attempting to activate the Monolith's door initiates "The Pinnacle of Flame" quest, comprised of 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 encounter. Prepare a powerful build; the Arbiter of Ash is notoriously difficult, boasting immense health and devastating attacks.

Locating the Elusive Citadels

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss. The primary hurdle isn't defeating these bosses, but rather discovering the Citadels themselves.

Citadels are one-time attempts. Their location is randomly generated for each player's Atlas, making their discovery a significant challenge. While no foolproof method exists, several strategies have emerged from player experience:

1. Systematic Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until a Citadel is found. Unlocking Towers provides a wider view of the surrounding maps.
2. Corruption Focus: Examine the Atlas edges for corrupted nodes. Prioritize clearing these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This can be combined with the first strategy.
3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often appear in clusters. Finding one might lead to the discovery of others nearby.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, requiring a highly optimized build.

Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via trading websites or the in-game Currency Exchange, though their rarity makes them expensive. This cost-effective approach avoids the lengthy and challenging Citadel hunt.