Path of Exile 2: How Do Herald Of Ice And Thunder Work Together

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 its mechanics. While not strictly necessary for understanding, knowing the interaction between these Herald skills enhances build optimization.

Implementing the Double Herald Setup

Four key components are required:

1. Herald of Ice Skill Gem linked with Lightning Infusion Support Gem.
2. Herald of Thunder Skill Gem linked with Cold Infusion Support Gem (and ideally Glaciation).
3. 60 Spirit.
4. A method for inflicting Cold damage.

Remember to activate both Heralds via right-clicking their skill icons.

Effective ways to initially trigger Herald of Ice include:

• Monk's Ice Strike (highly effective).
• Passive skills boosting Freeze buildup.
• Weapons/gloves with flat Cold damage.
• Against the Darkness Time-Lost Diamond Jewel (+Cold damage%).

Understanding the Synergistic Mechanics

Herald of Ice activates upon shattering a frozen enemy, creating an AoE cold explosion. Crucially, its Cold damage cannot Freeze, preventing self-perpetuation.

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

The synergy lies in their damage conversion: Lightning Infusion on Herald of Ice converts some damage to Lightning (which can Shock), and Cold Infusion on Herald of Thunder converts some damage to Cold (which can Freeze).

This allows for a chain reaction: Herald of Ice (via Lightning) shocks, triggering Herald of Thunder; Herald of Thunder (via Cold) freezes, triggering Herald of Ice, and so on. While theoretically infinite, practically this chain usually lasts one or two cycles due to enemy density. Breaches are ideal due to their high enemy concentration.

Initiating the chain requires a Cold damage skill (like Ice Strike) to Freeze and shatter an enemy, triggering Herald of Ice. Prioritizing Herald of Ice is advantageous because Freeze is easier to inflict than Shock, and Herald of Thunder's lightning bolts have greater range.