Path of Exile 2: Burning Monolith Explained

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

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 gateway to 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 crucial 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 Challenge: Locating the Fragments

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. The primary difficulty lies in their elusive nature.

Citadel attempts are one-time only. The Atlas's randomized generation ensures each player's experience is unique, making Citadel location unpredictable. Community observations suggest these strategies, though their effectiveness is unconfirmed:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until a Citadel is discovered. Unlocking Towers provides a broader map view.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on Atlas nodes exhibiting corruption, prioritizing those at the map's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. Combine this with directional exploration.
3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels tend to cluster. Finding one might indicate others are nearby.

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

Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via in-game trading or currency exchange websites, though their rarity commands a high price. This cost might be justifiable to bypass the arduous hunt.