Path of Exile 2: Tips for Locating More Citadels

After completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3, players in Path of Exile 2 reach the Endgame and gain access to the Atlas of Worlds. Within this expansive Atlas map, players will encounter various unique structures that introduce distinct gameplay mechanics and challenges, such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the highly sought-after Citadels.

Citadels stand out as one of the most elusive endgame objectives in Path of Exile 2. While Lost Towers emerge from the Fog of War and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith appear near the Atlas start point, Citadels can be harder to spot. However, with the upcoming 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more visible from a distance, making them easier to locate. If you're struggling to find Citadels on your Atlas map, follow these tips to enhance your search in PoE 2.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are a unique type of map node available in three varieties: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel hosts a different boss, which are revamped versions of bosses from the PoE 2 campaign, now powered up for endgame challenges. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, which serves as a key to access the Burning Monolith. This structure houses the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash, and completing it fulfills the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, unlocked upon your first entry into the Burning Monolith map and inspection of its locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Home to Count Geonor (Act 1 boss), recognizable as a large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Features Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss), appearing as a large encampment encircling the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Houses Doryani (Act 3 boss), resembling a stone pyramid akin to the ziggurats found in Act 3.

To engage with a Citadel, players must use a Waystone of at least Tier 15 to travel to its map node and activate it. Similar to other Maps, you have only one attempt to navigate the map and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are not only crucial for obtaining Crisis Fragments but also offer the chance to acquire exceptional loot from the bosses. Once completed, Citadels cannot be re-run; players must continue exploring the Atlas to find new ones.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, locating Citadels in Path of Exile 2 becomes easier thanks to a large beacon of light that marks their position, visible even through the Fog of War. This beacon assists players in navigating directly towards each Citadel.

If you don't see any Citadels nearby on your Atlas map, the most effective strategy is to move in a straight line in one direction. This method maximizes the area of the Fog of War you reveal, thus increasing your chances of spotting a Citadel. Along your path, make sure to approach any Lost Towers you encounter; completing these reveals a significant portion of the surrounding Fog, potentially unveiling a nearby Citadel.

Each Citadel type tends to spawn in specific biomes, which can guide your search:

• Iron Citadels are commonly found in Grass or Forest biomes.
• Copper Citadels typically appear in Desert biomes.
• Stone Citadels are often located along the coast of any biome.

Once you locate a Citadel, it's unlikely to find another one in close proximity. Multiple Citadels rarely appear on the same screen of the Atlas map when fully zoomed out. To find additional Citadels after discovering one, continue in a straight line but choose a completely different direction from your previous path.

With the 0.1.1 update enhancing visibility, you should be able to spot Citadel beacons within a few screens of your explored areas. If you still can't see any Citadels, continue following the strategy of moving in a straight line in a single direction until you spot a beacon guiding you through the Fog of War.