Path of Exile 2: Burning Monolith Explained

The Burning Monolith: Conquering Path of Exile 2's Ultimate Challenge

The Burning Monolith, a unique Atlas of Worlds location akin to a Realmgate, presents a formidable endgame challenge in Path of Exile 2. Located near the starting area of your mapping journey, accessing it requires three elusive Crisis Fragments.

Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash

The Burning Monolith is the lair of the Arbiter of Ash, the game's toughest 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. Prepare a powerful build; this boss boasts devastating attacks and immense health.

The Citadel Hunt: A Grueling Endgame Pursuit

Three Citadels—Iron, Copper, and Stone—each guarded by a challenging boss, hold the coveted Crisis Fragments. Their scarcity is the true challenge. Citadels are one-time attempts, and their Atlas locations are randomly generated. Strategies for locating them include:

1. Directional Exploration: Choose a direction on the Atlas and systematically explore until you find a Citadel. Utilize Towers for improved map visibility.
2. Corruption Tracking: Focus on corrupted nodes at the Atlas's edges. Clear these nodes, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat.
3. Clustered Appearance: Anecdotal evidence suggests Citadels often appear in groups. Finding one may lead to the others.

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

Alternative Acquisition: A Pricey Shortcut

Crisis Fragments, the fruits of this arduous hunt, can be purchased via the in-game trading website or Currency Exchange. However, their rarity commands a high price. Weigh the cost against the time investment of the Citadel hunt.