The Burning Monolith: A Path of Exile 2 Endgame Challenge

The Burning Monolith, a unique map location in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles a Realmgate but presents a significantly more challenging experience. 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 serves as the arena for the endgame boss, the Arbiter of Ash. 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 necessary Crisis Fragments. Combine these fragments at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter. Prepare thoroughly; this boss is notoriously difficult, boasting immense health and devastating attacks.

The Citadel Hunt: A Test of Patience

Three Citadels – Iron, Copper, and Stone – each guarded by a unique boss, hold the key Crisis Fragments. Locating them is the true challenge. Citadels are one-time attempts, and their placement on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable. Community strategies, while not guaranteed, include:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until a Citadel is found. Utilizing Towers for a broader view is recommended.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This strategy can be combined with directional exploration.
3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often appear in clusters. Finding one might lead to the others.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, best undertaken with a fully optimized build and considerable boss-fighting experience.

Alternative Acquisition: The Market

Crisis Fragments, the ultimate goal of the Citadel hunt, can be purchased through in-game trading or currency exchange websites. However, their rarity makes them expensive. Weigh the time investment of the hunt against the cost of purchasing them directly.