Discover Citadel Secrets: Guide to Enhancing Path of Exile 2 Gameplay

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 this Atlas presents various challenges, including Realmgates, Lost Towers, Burning Monoliths, and the elusive Citadels. This guide focuses on locating and utilizing these crucial endgame objectives.

Citadels, unlike readily visible structures, present a unique challenge. The 0.1.1 update enhances their visibility, but finding them still requires strategy.

The Purpose of Citadels

Citadels are unique map nodes, appearing as Iron, Copper, or Stone variants. Each houses a significantly empowered campaign boss:

• Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), identifiable by its large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), appearing as a large encampment.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss), resembling a stone pyramid.

Defeating these bosses yields Crisis Fragments, essential keys for accessing the Burning Monolith and its pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This is crucial for completing the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest.

Accessing a Citadel requires a Tier 15 or higher Waystone. Each Citadel offers a single attempt; death means losing the opportunity. Rewards include valuable loot and Crisis Fragments.

Strategies for Finding Citadels

The 0.1.1 update significantly improves Citadel visibility with prominent beacons visible even through the Fog of War.

If Citadels remain hidden, employ these tactics:

• Strategic Pathing: Travel in a straight line to maximize Fog of War clearing and Atlas map exploration.
• Lost Tower Exploration: Lost Towers reveal significant areas, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.
• Biome Targeting: Citadels tend to spawn in specific biomes:
  • Iron Citadels: Grass or Forest biomes
  • Copper Citadels: Desert biomes
  • Stone Citadels: Coastal areas

Remember, Citadels rarely cluster. After finding one, explore in a completely different direction. With the 0.1.1 update's improved visibility, beacons should be easily spotted within a few screens of explored areas. If not, revert to the straight-line pathing strategy.