PoE2: Herald Duo Synergy Explained

Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Double Herald Strategy (Herald of Ice + Herald of Thunder)

The Double Herald setup in Path of Exile 2 combines Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder for devastating screen-clearing potential. This guide details how to implement this powerful technique and explains the underlying mechanics. While not strictly necessary to use the strategy, understanding how the Heralds interact enhances build optimization.

Implementing the Double Herald Setup

This strategy requires four key elements:

1. Herald of Ice: Socketed with the Lightning Infusion Support Gem.
2. Herald of Thunder: Socketed with the Cold Infusion Support Gem (Glaciation is also highly recommended).
3. 60 Spirit: Essential for sustaining the Heralds.
4. A Cold Damage Infliction Method: To initiate the chain reaction.

Remember to activate both Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder in your skill menu.

Effective methods for initiating the chain reaction (proccing Herald of Ice) include:

• Inherent skills like the Monk's Ice Strike (highly effective).
• Passive skills that boost Freeze buildup.
• Weapons or gloves with flat cold damage.
• The Against the Darkness Time-Lost Diamond Jewel (+Cold damage percentage).

Understanding the Synergy

Herald of Ice triggers upon shattering a frozen enemy, creating an AoE cold damage explosion. Crucially, Herald of Ice's cold damage cannot freeze, preventing self-perpetuating chains.

Herald of Thunder activates upon killing a shocked enemy, unleashing damaging lightning bolts. Similarly, it cannot inflict shock independently.

The key lies in the support gems: Lightning Infusion converts a portion of Herald of Ice's damage to lightning (which can shock), and Cold Infusion converts a portion of Herald of Thunder's damage to cold (which can freeze). This allows them to trigger each other.

While theoretically creating an infinite chain reaction, in practice, the effect usually lasts for one or two cycles. Maintaining the chain requires a consistent supply of enemies, making Breaches ideal locations for this strategy due to their high enemy density.

The preferred initiation method is to first proc Herald of Ice (via freezing and shattering) because Freeze is easier to inflict than Shock. Herald of Thunder's lightning bolts have superior range, making it more effective to trigger second.