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 – an extremely rare and difficult map node.
Accessing the Burning Monolith
The Burning Monolith is the lair of the Arbiter of Ash, the game's toughest pinnacle boss. 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 them at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Ensure your character is optimally built; the Arbiter of Ash boasts devastating attacks and immense health.
Locating the 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, several strategies have emerged:
- Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you locate a Citadel. Unlocking Towers provides a broader map view.
- Corruption Tracking: Focus on Atlas nodes exhibiting corruption, often found at the map's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This can be combined with the directional approach.
- Cluster Hypothesis: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels tend to cluster together. Finding one increases the likelihood of discovering the others nearby.
Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, requiring a powerful build.
Alternative Acquisition of Crisis Fragments
Crisis Fragments, the rewards for Citadel completion, can be purchased through in-game trading websites or currency exchanges. However, their rarity makes them expensive. Weigh the cost against the time investment of hunting them yourself.
