Path of Exile 2: Unveiling the Burning Monolith

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 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 arena for 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). 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 meticulously before engaging the Arbiter of Ash. This boss is renowned as the game's most formidable pinnacle boss, boasting devastating attacks and an enormous health pool.

Locating the Elusive Citadels

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel houses a unique map boss; defeating them grants the corresponding Crisis Fragment. The primary difficulty lies in their unpredictable location.

Citadels are one-time attempts.

The Atlas is procedurally generated, making Citadel locations unique to each player. While no definitive method exists, community observations suggest these strategies:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until a Citadel is discovered. Unlocking Towers provides a broader map overview.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This can be combined with the first strategy.
3. Clustered Appearance: Finding one Citadel often indicates the proximity of the others.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build and considerable boss-fighting experience.

Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange. However, their rarity often commands a high price. Weigh the cost and effort before deciding whether to purchase or hunt for these crucial fragments.