Mastering the Double Herald Strategy in Path of Exile 2
Path of Exile 2's Double Herald setup 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 understanding the interplay isn't strictly necessary, it enhances build customization.
Implementing the Double Herald Setup
Four key components are required:
- A Herald of Ice Skill Gem socketed with a Lightning Infusion Support Gem.
- A Herald of Thunder Skill Gem socketed with a Cold Infusion Support Gem (Glaciation is highly recommended).
- 60 Spirit.
- A method for inflicting Cold damage.
Remember to activate both Heralds via right-clicking their icons in the skill menu.
Effective Herald of Ice procs, crucial for initiating the chain reaction, are best achieved through inherent skills like the Monk's Ice Strike. Alternatives include:
- Passive skills enhancing Freeze buildup.
- Weapons or gloves with flat cold damage.
- The Against the Darkness Time-Lost Diamond Jewel (+Cold damage percentage).
Understanding the Synergistic Mechanics
Herald of Ice activates when enemies are Shattered (a result of attacking frozen enemies), causing an AoE cold damage burst. Crucially, Herald of Ice's cold damage cannot Freeze, preventing self-sustaining chain reactions.
Herald of Thunder activates upon killing Shocked enemies, unleashing damaging lightning bolts. Similarly, it cannot independently inflict Shock.
The synergy lies in their damage conversion: Lightning Infusion on Herald of Ice converts a portion of its damage to Lightning (which can Shock), while Cold Infusion on Herald of Thunder converts a portion to Cold (which can Freeze).
Ideally, this creates a continuous loop: Herald of Ice shocks, triggering Herald of Thunder, which then freezes, triggering Herald of Ice again. In practice, the chain reaction usually ends after one or two cycles due to the need for a constant supply of enemies. Breaches, with their high enemy density, are where this setup truly shines.
To initiate, Freeze and Shatter an enemy using a cold damage skill (like Ice Strike). This triggers Herald of Ice, causing a cold explosion that also shocks, starting the chain reaction. Prioritizing Herald of Ice is strategic because Freeze is easier to inflict than Shock, and Herald of Thunder's lightning bolts have greater range.
