Harness the Power of Double Herald in Path of Exile 2: A Comprehensive Guide

The Double Herald setup in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) combines Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder to create a devastating chain reaction, clearing screens with a single hit. While understanding the intricate interactions isn't strictly necessary, it enhances build optimization. This guide details implementation and functionality.

How to Implement the Double Herald Setup

Four key elements are required:

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

Ensure both Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder are activated in the skills menu.

Effective ways to initially trigger Herald of Ice (essential to start the chain reaction) 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 percentage).

Understanding the Synergy

Herald of Ice activates upon shattering a frozen enemy, causing an AoE cold damage 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 independently inflict shock.

The key 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 them to trigger each other.

Ideally, this creates an endless chain reaction. In practice, it often cycles once or twice before ending, requiring a consistent supply of enemies. Breaches are particularly advantageous due to their high enemy density.

Initiation involves freezing and shattering an enemy with a cold damage skill (like Ice Strike), triggering Herald of Ice, which then shocks, activating Herald of Thunder, and so on. Prioritizing Herald of Ice is recommended because Freeze is easier to inflict than Shock, and Herald of Thunder's lightning bolts have better range.