This guide explains the Double Herald setup in Path of Exile 2, a technique combining Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder for massive area-of-effect damage.
Key Components of the Double Herald Setup:
- Herald of Ice: Socketed with the Lightning Infusion Support Gem.
- Herald of Thunder: Socketed with the Cold Infusion Support Gem (Glaciation is recommended).
- 60 Spirit: Required for the Heralds to function effectively.
- A Cold Damage Source: To initially trigger Herald of Ice. Monk's Ice Strike is highly effective, but other options include passive skills boosting Freeze buildup or the Against the Darkness Time-Lost Diamond Jewel.
Implementation:
- Ensure both Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder are activated in your skill menu.
- Use your chosen cold damage skill (e.g., Ice Strike) to Freeze and then Shatter an enemy. This triggers Herald of Ice.
How it Works:
The core concept is leveraging the damage type conversion provided by the Infusion Support Gems:
- Herald of Ice: Normally cannot Freeze enemies, preventing a self-sustaining chain reaction. Lightning Infusion converts a portion of its damage to Lightning, which can Shock enemies.
- Herald of Thunder: Normally cannot Shock enemies. Cold Infusion converts a portion of its damage to Cold, which can Freeze enemies.
By using Cold damage to initially trigger Herald of Ice (via Freeze and Shatter), the resulting Lightning damage from Herald of Ice shocks enemies, triggering Herald of Thunder. The subsequent Cold damage from Herald of Thunder then freezes and shatters enemies, triggering Herald of Ice again, creating a chain reaction. While ideally this chain is continuous, practically it often ends after one or two cycles due to enemy density. Breaches are ideal locations for this setup due to the high number of spawned enemies.
Setup Requirements
Herald of Ice with Lightning Infusion
Herald of Thunder with Cold Infusion
Herald Interaction Diagram
Lightning Infusion Support Gem
Cold Infusion Support Gem
Glaciation Support Gem (Recommended)
Against the Darkness Jewel (Alternative Cold Damage Source)
