Path of Exile 2: Unravel the Secrets of Burning Monolith

The Burning Monolith: Conquering Path of Exile 2's Endgame Pinnacle Boss

The Burning Monolith, a unique map node in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles a Realmgate but presents a significantly greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – an exceptionally rare and difficult map node.

Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash

The Burning Monolith is the lair of the Arbiter of Ash, the game's most formidable pinnacle boss. Your first attempt to activate the Monolith's door initiates "The Pinnacle of Flame" quest, comprising three sub-quests: Ezomyte Infiltration (Iron Citadel), Faridun Foray (Copper Citadel), and Vaal Incursion (Stone Citadel). Completing these Citadels yields the three essential Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Ensure your character build is optimized; the Arbiter of Ash boasts devastating attacks and immense health.

The Citadel Hunt: A Test of Patience

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels – Iron, Copper, and Stone – each guarded by a unique boss. The Crisis Fragment for each Citadel is the reward for defeating its respective boss. The primary challenge lies not in the Citadel bosses themselves, but in locating the Citadels within the randomly generated Atlas. Each player's Atlas is unique, making Citadel locations unpredictable. Strategies include:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you discover a Citadel. Unlocking Towers provides a broader map view.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on areas with corruption indicated on the Atlas edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This can be combined with directional exploration.
3. Clustered Citadels: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels tend to cluster. Finding one may lead to the others nearby.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build.

Alternative Acquisition: Buying Crisis Fragments

Crisis Fragments, the ultimate goal of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased on trading websites or via the Currency Exchange. However, their rarity makes them expensive. This cost may be justified to avoid the considerable time investment required for hunting them.