Path of Exile 2: Burning Monolith Explained

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 significant 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 is the gateway to 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). Completing these Citadels yields the three essential Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Prepare a powerful build; the Arbiter is the game's toughest pinnacle boss, boasting immense health and devastating attacks.

The Citadel Hunt

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss. The Crisis Fragment for each Citadel is the boss's reward. The primary difficulty lies in locating these Citadels.

Citadel attempts are one-time only. Their placement on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable. Community-based strategies, though not guaranteed, include:

1. Directional Progression: Choose a direction on the Atlas and explore until you find a Citadel. Unlock Towers for a broader view.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on Atlas nodes showing corruption, clearing them efficiently, unlocking nearby Towers, and repeating the process.
3. Clustered Appearance: Finding one Citadel often indicates others are 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 through in-game trading or currency exchanges. However, their rarity makes them expensive. Weigh the cost against the time investment of the Citadel hunt.