After conquering the main campaign and tackling Acts 1 through 3 on Cruel difficulty, Path of Exile 2 players unlock the Endgame and gain access to the Atlas of Worlds. This vast map presents a diverse range of unique structures, each offering distinct gameplay mechanics and challenges. Among these are Realmgates, Lost Towers, the Burning Monolith, and the elusive Citadels.

Unlike Lost Towers (easily spotted above the Fog of War) and the readily accessible Realmgate and Burning Monolith near the Atlas starting point, Citadels present a more significant challenge. The 0.1.1 update enhances Citadel visibility, making them easier to spot from a distance. However, if your Atlas map remains Citadel-free, these tips will help you locate them.

What are Citadels in PoE 2?

In Path of Exile 2, Citadels are unique map nodes appearing in three variations: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each houses a powerful boss—repurposed campaign bosses significantly enhanced for the endgame—and rewards players with a Crisis Fragment upon defeat.

These fragments are crucial Pinnacle Boss keys, necessary to unlock the Burning Monolith and face the Arbiter of Ash, the Atlas pinnacle boss. This unlocks the "Pinnacle of Flame" quest after your first Burning Monolith visit and inspection of the locked door.

• Iron Citadel: Count Geonor (Act 1 boss). Appears as a large city with black walls.
• Copper Citadel: Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss). Resembles a large encampment surrounding the map node.
• Stone Citadel: Doryani (Act 3 boss). Looks like a stone pyramid, similar to the Act 3 ziggurats.

Accessing Citadels requires a Waystone of at least Tier 15. Once activated, you have one attempt to conquer the map and defeat the boss. These encounters offer exceptional loot, but completion is permanent; you cannot replay a Citadel. Finding more requires further Atlas exploration.

How to Find More Citadels in PoE 2

The 0.1.1 update significantly improves Citadel visibility. A bright beacon now marks their location, even through the Fog of War. If none are visible, try these strategies:

Travel in a straight line across the Atlas to reveal the maximum amount of Fog of War. Prioritize exploring near any encountered Lost Towers, as clearing these reveals a significant area, potentially uncovering nearby Citadels.

Citadels tend to spawn in specific biomes:

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

Citadels rarely cluster. After discovering one, explore a completely different direction to increase your chances of finding another. The 0.1.1 update's improved visibility should make spotting beacons within a few screens of revealed areas significantly easier. If not, continue exploring in straight lines until you find a beacon.