"Path of Exile 2: Herald of Ice and Thunder Synergy Explained"

Quick Links

• How to Use Double Herald (Herald of Ice + Herald of Thunder) in PoE 2

• How Do Herald Of Ice And Thunder Work Together in PoE 2

In Path of Exile 2, the Double Herald setup is a powerful strategy that harnesses the synergy between Herald of Thunder and Herald of Ice, enabling them to trigger each other and cause devastating chain reactions that can clear entire screens with a single hit. Understanding the interaction between these Herald skills is crucial for players looking to optimize their builds and explore new strategies. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to set up and utilize this technique effectively.

How to Use Double Herald (Herald of Ice + Herald of Thunder) in PoE 2

To execute the Double Herald setup in Path of Exile 2, you need to ensure the following components are in place:

1. Herald of Ice Setup: Socket the Herald of Ice Skill Gem with the Lightning Infusion Support Gem to enable it to inflict Shock.
2. Herald of Thunder Setup: Socket the Herald of Thunder Skill Gem with the Cold Infusion Support Gem. Adding the Glaciation Support Gem is also recommended to enhance the cold damage output.
3. Spirit Requirement: Ensure you have at least 60 Spirit to sustain the Heralds.
4. Cold Damage Source: You'll need a reliable method to inflict Cold damage, which can be achieved through various means.

Activate both Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder by right-clicking their respective icons in the skills menu. To trigger the chain reaction, inherent skills like the Monk's Ice Strike are highly effective for proccing Herald of Ice. Other methods to proc the initial Freeze include:

• Utilizing passive skills that enhance Freeze build-up, combined with weapons or gloves that provide flat cold damage.
• Equipping the Against the Darkness Time-Lost Diamond Jewel, which boosts Cold damage percentage.

How Do Herald Of Ice And Thunder Work Together in PoE 2

Herald of Ice activates upon an enemy being Shattered, which happens when a frozen enemy is killed, resulting in an area-of-effect cold damage explosion. Importantly, the cold damage from Herald of Ice does not cause Freeze, preventing it from creating a self-sustaining chain reaction.

Conversely, Herald of Thunder triggers when you kill a Shocked enemy, releasing bolts of electricity that can damage other enemies upon impact. Similar to Herald of Ice, Herald of Thunder cannot directly inflict Shock; it relies on external sources of Shock to activate.

The key to the Double Herald strategy lies in their complementary effects: Herald of Ice, while unable to Freeze, can inflict Shock due to the Lightning Infusion Support Gem. Meanwhile, Herald of Thunder, which cannot Shock, can inflict Freeze thanks to the Cold Infusion Support Gem. This setup allows each Herald to trigger the other, potentially leading to continuous chain reactions.

In ideal conditions, this synergy can result in an endless loop of Herald activations. However, in practical gameplay, the chain reaction typically occurs once or twice before dissipating, as it requires a continuous stream of enemies to sustain. Breaches are particularly advantageous for this setup, as they spawn numerous enemies, providing ample opportunities for the Heralds to trigger each other.

To initiate the chain reaction, start by proccing Herald of Ice through a cold damage skill such as the Monk's Ice Strike to Freeze and then shatter an enemy. This initial explosion will also Shock nearby enemies, setting off the chain reaction. The reason for starting with Herald of Ice is twofold: Freeze is easier to apply than Shock, and the lightning bolts from Herald of Thunder have a longer reach, allowing them to target distant enemies more effectively than the cold explosion from Herald of Ice.