Path of Exile 2: Unveiling the Fiery Enigma of Burning Monolith

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 greater challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – exceptionally rare and difficult map nodes.

Conquering the Burning Monolith

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 necessary Crisis Fragments. Combine them at the Monolith's altar to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter.

Prepare meticulously for this battle. The Arbiter of Ash boasts devastating attacks, millions of hit points, and is considered the toughest pinnacle boss in the game.

Locating the Elusive Citadels

Path of Exile 2 features three Citadels: Iron, Copper, and Stone, each guarded by a unique boss that drops a corresponding Crisis Fragment. The primary difficulty lies in their unpredictable location.

Citadels are one-time attempts.

Due to the Atlas's randomized generation, Citadel locations vary for each player. Community theories suggest:

1. Systematic Exploration: Choose a direction and explore until you find a Citadel. Utilizing Towers provides a broader view of the map.
2. Following Corruption: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear them, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This strategy can be combined with the first.
3. Clustered Appearance: Finding one Citadel often indicates the others are nearby.

Citadel hunting is a late-game activity, requiring a highly optimized build.

Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased via the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange. However, their rarity makes them expensive.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of accessing and conquering the Burning Monolith and the challenges of obtaining the necessary Crisis Fragments. Remember to prepare thoroughly before facing the Arbiter of Ash!