After completing the main campaign and Cruel difficulty Acts 1-3, players unlock access to the Atlas of Worlds in Path of Exile 2's endgame. The Atlas features several distinctive structures with unique mechanics, including Realmgates, Lost Towers, Burning Monoliths, and the highly sought-after Citadels.
Understanding Citadels in PoE 2
Citadels represent special endgame map nodes that come in three variants: Iron, Copper, and Stone. Each fortress features a powered-up boss from the PoE 2 campaign waiting to challenge players:
- Iron Citadel: Faces players against Count Geonor (Act 1 boss) in a black-walled cityscape
- Copper Citadel: Hosts Jamanra, The Abomination (Act 2 boss) in a sprawling encampment
- Stone Citadel: Features Doryani (Act 3 boss) within stone pyramid structures
Victorious players earn Crisis Fragments - essential keys for unlocking the Burning Monolith's pinnacle boss fight against the Arbiter of Ash. These bosses also drop exceptional endgame loot, making Citadels valuable destinations.
Citadel Hunting Strategies
The 0.1.1 update improved Citadel visibility with beacon markers piercing through the Fog of War. When searching:
- Chart straight paths through unexplored Atlas regions
- Prioritize Lost Towers encounters to clear surrounding fog
- Target biomes matching your desired Citadel type:
- Grass/Forest for Iron Citadels
- Deserts for Copper Citadels
- Coastal areas for Stone Citadels
- After finding one, explore opposite directions since multiple Citadels rarely appear nearby
Remember that Waystones of Tier 15+ are required to access these challenging arenas, and each Citadel can only be conquered once per discovery.
