Heraldry Convergence: PoE2's Ice and Thunder Synergy

Mastering the Double Herald Setup in PoE 2: A Guide to Herald of Ice and Thunder Synergy

The Double Herald setup in Path of Exile 2 is a powerful technique that leverages the synergistic interaction between Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder to create devastating chain reactions, clearing entire screens with a single hit. While not strictly necessary to understand the mechanics, grasping the interplay between these skills enhances build optimization. This guide details implementation and explains the underlying mechanics.

How to Implement the Double Herald Setup

Four key elements are crucial for this setup:

1. A Herald of Ice Skill Gem socketed with the Lightning Infusion Support Gem.
2. A Herald of Thunder Skill Gem socketed with the Cold Infusion Support Gem (Glaciation is highly recommended).
3. 60 Spirit.
4. A method for inflicting Cold damage.

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

Effective initial procs for Herald of Ice, crucial to initiate the chain reaction, often involve:

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

Understanding the Herald Synergy

Herald of Ice activates when an enemy is Shattered (after being frozen). 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, Herald of Thunder cannot inflict Shock independently.

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 an infinite loop: Herald of Ice shocks, triggering Herald of Thunder, which freezes, triggering Herald of Ice, and so on. In practice, the chain usually breaks after one or two cycles due to the need for a continuous supply of enemies. Breaches, with their high enemy density, are particularly effective environments for this setup.

To initiate the chain, you must first proc Herald of Ice by freezing and shattering an enemy using a cold skill (like Ice Strike). This icy explosion will also Shock, 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 superior range.