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

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• 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 technique that allows Herald of Thunder and Herald of Ice to trigger each other, creating a chain reaction capable of clearing entire screens with a single hit. While understanding the interaction between these Herald skills isn't strictly necessary, it's beneficial for players looking to innovate their builds. Here's a detailed guide on implementing this technique and an explanation of its mechanics.

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

To effectively utilize the Double Herald setup, you'll need the following components:

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

Ensure you activate both Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder by right-clicking their icons in the skills menu.

To initiate the chain reaction, skills like the Monk's Ice Strike are highly effective at triggering Herald of Ice. However, alternative methods 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 you attack a frozen enemy, resulting in an area-of-effect cold damage explosion. Importantly, the cold damage from Herald of Ice cannot Freeze enemies, preventing it from causing a self-sustaining chain reaction.

Conversely, Herald of Thunder triggers when you kill a Shocked enemy, sending out bolts of electricity that damage other enemies. Similar to Herald of Ice, Herald of Thunder cannot inflict Shock on its own; it relies on external sources of Shock.

The synergy between these skills lies in their unique properties: Herald of Ice can Shock but not Freeze, while Herald of Thunder can Freeze but not Shock. By equipping Herald of Ice with the Lightning Infusion Support Gem and Herald of Thunder with the Cold Infusion Support Gem, you convert a portion of Herald of Ice's damage to Lightning (which can Shock) and a portion of Herald of Thunder's damage to Cold (which can Freeze).

Under ideal conditions, this setup can theoretically create an endless chain reaction, with Herald of Ice triggering Herald of Thunder, which in turn triggers Herald of Ice again. In practice, this usually occurs once or twice before dissipating, as continuous triggering requires a steady supply of enemies. This is why Breaches are particularly advantageous for the Double Herald setup, given their ability to spawn numerous enemies.

To kickstart this chain reaction, you must first trigger Herald of Ice by Freezing and then Shattering an enemy using a cold damage skill like the Monk's Ice Strike. This initial icy explosion will also Shock nearby enemies, setting off the chain reaction. Starting with Herald of Ice is preferred because Freeze is easier to apply than Shock, and the lightning bolts from Herald of Thunder can reach distant enemies more effectively than Herald of Ice's explosion.