Path of Exile 2: Burning Monolith Unveiled

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

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

Conquering the Burning Monolith

The Burning Monolith is the lair of the Arbiter of Ash, the game's most formidable pinnacle boss. Attempting to activate the Monolith's door initiates "The Pinnacle of Flame" quest, branching into 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 them at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Ensure your character build is optimized; the Arbiter of Ash boasts devastating attacks and immense health.

Locating the Elusive Citadels

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss. The primary difficulty lies in their unpredictable location on the randomly generated Atlas. While no guaranteed method exists, these strategies may increase your chances:

1. Directional Search: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you discover a Citadel. Unlocking Towers provides a broader view of surrounding maps.

2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This strategy can be combined with the directional approach.

3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often cluster together. Finding one may lead to the others nearby.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build.

Acquiring Crisis Fragments

Crisis Fragments, the reward for Citadel completion, can be purchased through in-game trading or currency exchanges. However, their rarity often commands a high price. Weigh the cost and effort before deciding whether to purchase or hunt them yourself.