"Path of Exile 2: Strategies for Locating Citadels"

After completing the main campaign and the Cruel difficulty Acts 1 through 3, players of Path of Exile 2 gain access to the Endgame and the Atlas of Worlds. Within the Atlas map, players will encounter various unique structures, such as the Realmgate, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the elusive Citadels. These structures introduce unique gameplay mechanics and challenges that enrich the endgame experience.

Citadels, in particular, are among the most sought-after endgame objectives. While Lost Towers are visible above the Fog of War and the Realmgate and Burning Monolith are located near the Atlas start point, Citadels can be harder to spot. However, with the 0.1.1 update, Citadels will become more visible from a distance, thanks to a large beacon of light that pierces through the Fog of War. If you're struggling to locate Citadels on your Atlas map, here are some tips to help you find more in PoE 2.

What Are Citadels For In PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels serve as unique map nodes available in three variants: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each type of Citadel hosts a different boss, repurposed from the campaign with enhanced powers suitable for endgame challenges. Defeating these bosses rewards players with a Crisis Fragment, which acts as a key to unlock the Burning Monolith, the home of the Atlas pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. This completes the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest, unlocked after entering the Burning Monolith map for the first time and inspecting the locked door.

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

Upon discovering 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, players have only one attempt to navigate through and defeat the boss without dying. These areas are highly valuable not only for the Crisis Fragments but also for the potential to obtain exceptional loot from the bosses. Once completed, a Citadel cannot be re-run; players must continue exploring the Atlas to find another.

How To Find More Citadels In PoE 2

With the 0.1.1 update, spotting Citadels on the Atlas map becomes easier due to the large beacon of light that now marks their location, visible even through the Fog of War. This beacon guides players more efficiently toward each Citadel.

If no Citadels are visible near your current location on the Atlas map, the best strategy to uncover more is to move in a straight line in one direction. This approach maximizes the area of Fog of War you reveal, thereby expanding your view of the Atlas map. Along your path, make sure to visit any Lost Towers you encounter, as completing these will clear a significant area of Fog around the tower, potentially revealing nearby Citadels.

Each type of Citadel tends to spawn in specific biomes, which can help you target 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.

After finding a Citadel, it's unlikely that another will be nearby, as multiple Citadels rarely appear on the same screen when fully zoomed out. To discover more Citadels, head in a straight line in a different direction from your previous path.

With the 0.1.1 update, you should be able to see Citadel beacons within a few screens of your explored areas. If you still can't spot any Citadels within the Fog of War post-update, continue following these tips: move in a straight line in a single direction, and you'll eventually see a beacon guiding you to your next challenge.