Path of Exile 2: How To Find More Citadels

Path of Exile 2: Unlocking the Secrets of Citadels

After conquering the main campaign and Acts 1-3 on Cruel difficulty, players unlock the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Navigating the Atlas map presents unique challenges and gameplay mechanics, with Citadels standing out as particularly elusive endgame objectives. Unlike readily visible structures like Lost Towers, Realmgates, and Burning Monoliths, Citadels require a bit more searching. However, the 0.1.1 update enhances their visibility, making them easier to spot from a distance. This guide provides strategies for locating these crucial map nodes.

The Importance of Citadels

Citadels are unique map nodes, appearing in three variations: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel houses a powerful boss—reimagined campaign bosses with significant endgame enhancements—and dropping a Crisis Fragment upon defeat. These fragments are essential keys to accessing the Burning Monolith and its pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, completing the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest.

• Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Identified by its large city appearance with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, the Abomination (Act 2 boss). Appears as a sizable encampment surrounding the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Resembles a stone pyramid, similar to Act 3's ziggurats.

Accessing a Citadel requires a Waystone of at least Tier 15. Remember, each Citadel attempt is a single, high-stakes run; defeat the boss, or face the consequences. The rewards are substantial, including exceptional loot, making the effort worthwhile. Completed Citadels cannot be revisited.

Strategies for Finding Citadels

The 0.1.1 update significantly improves Citadel visibility. A bright beacon now marks their location, piercing the Fog of War.

If Citadels remain hidden, employ these strategies:

1. Linear Exploration: Travel in a straight line across the Atlas map to maximize Fog of War clearing and map visibility.

2. Lost Tower Strategy: Prioritize clearing Lost Towers. Their completion reveals a significant area, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.

3. Biome Targeting: Citadels tend to spawn in specific biomes:

   • Iron Citadels: Grass or Forest biomes
   • Copper Citadels: Desert biomes
   • Stone Citadels: Coastal areas of any biome

4. Strategic Spacing: Citadels rarely cluster. After finding one, explore in a completely different direction to increase your chances of discovering another.

With the 0.1.1 update's improved visibility, Citadels within a few screens of explored areas should be easily spotted. If not, revert to the linear exploration strategy; the beacon will guide you.