Path of Exile 2, much like its predecessor, embraces complexity and encourages players to unravel its mysteries without much hand-holding. The intricacies of endgame play, particularly the strategies involving map optimization and farming in Citadels, reflect this depth. Compared to the more direct approach of Path of Exile 1, Path of Exile 2 offers a challenging landscape where players can significantly enhance their loot by effectively preparing their setups. This is especially true when delving into the world of Citadels.
Entering the endgame in Path of Exile 2 means navigating through various tiers of Waystones. Most players start at Tier 1 and work their way up to Tier 15 with their first character in a new League. Skilled players can leverage Tier 15 Waystones to amass considerable currency, particularly by pairing them with Breach Precursor Tablets enhanced with Increased Item Quantity affixes in nearby Towers. The strategy can be further amplified by applying Distilled Paranoia to the Waystones themselves. However, when focusing on Citadels, the situation gets a bit trickier.
In Path of Exile 2, Citadels serve as gatekeepers to the tougher content, particularly the fight against the Arbiter of Ash. This formidable boss requires three Crisis Fragments to initiate the encounter within the Burning Monolith. Holding these fragments is a ticket to trade wealth or the privilege to attempt the Arbiter challenge. The current market values for these fragments are staggering, with Ancient Crisis Fragment at 250 Exalted Orbs, Faded Crisis Fragment at 392 Exalted Orbs, and Weathered Crisis Fragment at 248 Exalted Orbs.
To secure a steady flow of Crisis Fragments, players must focus on boosting their Waystone acquisition rate. Each Waystone can be enhanced with up to six modifiers through crafting, but using a Vaal Orb stands out as it can transform a Waystone by adding up to six suffixes, boosting the Waystone Drop Chance significantly. Only these suffixes contribute to increasing the number of Crisis Fragments secured from Citadels.
Currently, it’s a topic of discussion among players what the specific thresholds are for obtaining multiple Crisis Fragments from a single boss kill in a Citadel. The consensus estimates place the initial breakpoint at a 300% Waystone Drop Chance for a higher likelihood of securing two Crisis Fragments. Pushing between 750% and 900% could potentially yield a third fragment, achievable through various means. Players should consider altering their Atlas Skill Tree to acquire every Waystone Modifier Effect node and unobtain Unstable Energy Keystone.
This strategy enhances Waystone modifiers, ultimately increasing the Waystone Drop Chance. However, packing a Waystone with suffixes can be tricky as they complicate gameplay by imposing negative effects. When combined with Precursor Tablets that enhance the “Increased Quantity of Waystones Found in Your Maps,” the reward is potentially large, offering multiple Crisis Fragments per run. These can fund new character builds or upgrades through sales—or bolster a player’s own arsenal in the quest for the Arbiter of Ash, despite the inherent risks.
For those eager to master the endgame complexities of Path of Exile 2, exploring these tactics will offer greater gains, yet the road will be fraught with danger and challenge.
