Path of Exile 2: How To Find More Citadels

After completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3, players in Path of Exile 2 gain access to the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Within this expansive Atlas map, players will encounter a variety of unique structures that introduce distinct gameplay mechanics and 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. While Lost Towers emerge above the Fog of War and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith appear near the Atlas's starting point, Citadels have been less visible. However, with the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more noticeable from a distance. If you're struggling to locate them on your Atlas map, here are some tips to help you find more Citadels in PoE 2.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are unique map nodes categorized into three types: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel hosts a different Boss, repurposed from the PoE 2 campaign but significantly powered up for the endgame. Defeating these bosses rewards you with a Crisis Fragment, which serves as a key to unlock the Burning Monolith. This area is home to the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, and completing it advances the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, unlocked upon first entering the Burning Monolith map and inspecting the locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Home to Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), it appears as a large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss) resides here, visible as a large encampment encircling the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss) guards this Citadel, which resembles a stone pyramid akin to the ziggurats found in Act 3.

To engage with a Citadel, players must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to travel to its map node and activate it. Similar to other Maps, you have only one attempt to navigate the map and defeat the boss without dying. These encounters are not only crucial for obtaining Crisis Fragments but also offer the chance to acquire exceptional loot. Once a Citadel is completed, it cannot be revisited, so players must explore the Atlas further to locate additional Citadels.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, locating Citadels in Path of Exile 2 becomes more straightforward due to the addition of a large beacon of light above their positions, visible even through the Fog of War. This feature greatly aids in guiding players toward each Citadel.

If Citadels are not immediately visible near your current location on the Atlas map, the best strategy 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, thus increasing your visibility of the overall Atlas map. Along your journey, make sure to visit any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will clear a significant area of Fog around the tower, potentially uncovering a nearby Citadel.

Each Citadel type tends to spawn in specific biomes:

• Iron Citadels: Commonly found in Grass or Forest biomes.
• Copper Citadels: Typically located in Desert biomes.
• Stone Citadels: Often found along the coast of any biome.

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

Remember, Citadels are usually spaced apart, with multiple rarely appearing on the same screen when the Atlas map is fully zoomed out. After discovering a Citadel, continue your search in a completely different direction from your previous route to increase your chances of finding another.

With the 0.1.1 update, you should be able to spot Citadel beacons within a few screens of your explored areas. If no Citadels appear within the fog of war after the update, continue to follow these tips: move in a straight line in a single direction, and you'll eventually see a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.