The Burning Monolith: Unlocking the Arbiter of Ash in Path of Exile 2
The Burning Monolith, a unique map location in Path of Exile 2's Atlas of Worlds, resembles a Realmgate but presents a significant challenge. Accessing it requires three Crisis Fragments, each obtained by conquering a Citadel – exceptionally rare and difficult map nodes.
Accessing the Burning Monolith
The Burning Monolith is the arena for the endgame pinnacle boss, the Arbiter of Ash. Attempting 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. Offer these fragments to the altar within the Burning Monolith to unlock the Arbiter of Ash encounter.
Prepare for a formidable foe. The Arbiter of Ash is the game's most powerful pinnacle boss, boasting devastating attacks and immense health. Ensure your character build is optimized before engaging.
Locating the Citadels
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 unpredictable location.
Citadel attempts are one-time only.
The Atlas is procedurally generated, making Citadel locations unique to each player. While no definitive strategy exists, community observations suggest:
- Directional Progression: Choose a direction on the Atlas and explore systematically until a Citadel is discovered. Utilizing Towers provides a broader map view.
- Corruption Focus: Identify corrupted nodes on the Atlas periphery. Prioritize these nodes, ensuring successful completion, unlock nearby Towers, and repeat. This can be combined with the first strategy.
- Clustered Appearance: Citadels often appear in close proximity. Discovering one may lead to the others.
Citadel hunting is a late-game endeavor, best undertaken with a fully optimized build and considerable boss-fighting experience.
Alternatively, Crisis Fragments can be purchased from online trading platforms or the Currency Exchange. However, their rarity often commands a high price. Weigh the cost and effort before deciding whether to purchase or hunt for them.
