The Burning Monolith: Path of Exile 2's 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 greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – exceptionally rare and difficult map nodes.
Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash
The Burning Monolith is the lair of the endgame pinnacle 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 them at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter.
Prepare for a brutal fight. The Arbiter of Ash is the game's toughest pinnacle boss, boasting devastating attacks and immense health. Ensure your character build is optimized before attempting this encounter.
The Citadel Hunt: A Trial of Patience
Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each Citadel houses a unique map boss; defeating them grants the corresponding Crisis Fragment. Locating these Citadels is the primary difficulty.
Citadels are one-time attempts. Their placement on the randomly generated Atlas is unpredictable. Community strategies, while not foolproof, include:
- Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and explore systematically. Unlock Towers for a broader view.
- Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat.
- Clustered Appearance: Citadels may cluster together. Finding one increases the chance of discovering others nearby.
Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, requiring a powerful build and significant boss-killing experience.
Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via trading websites or the Currency Exchange. While expensive due to their rarity, this bypasses the challenging hunt.
