PoE2: Heraldry Synergy Unraveled

Mastering the Double Herald Strategy in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2's Double Herald setup harnesses the power of Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder in a synergistic chain reaction, clearing screens with devastating efficiency. While understanding the intricate mechanics isn't mandatory, it significantly enhances build optimization. This guide details the setup and its underlying principles.

Implementing the Double Herald Setup

The Double Herald strategy requires four key elements:

1. A Herald of Ice Skill Gem linked with the Lightning Infusion Support Gem.
2. A Herald of Thunder Skill Gem linked with the Cold Infusion Support Gem (Glaciation is highly recommended).
3. 60 Spirit.
4. A reliable source of Cold damage.

Remember to activate both Heralds via right-clicking their respective icons in the skill menu.

Efficient Herald of Ice procs, crucial for initiating the chain reaction, are best achieved through inherent skills like the Monk's Ice Strike. Alternative methods include:

• 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 Synergistic Mechanics

Herald of Ice activates upon shattering a frozen enemy, unleashing an AoE cold damage burst. Crucially, this cold damage cannot freeze, preventing self-perpetuation.

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

The synergy lies in their damage conversion: Lightning Infusion on Herald of Ice converts a portion of its damage to Lightning, enabling Shock; Cold Infusion on Herald of Thunder converts a portion to Cold, enabling Freeze.

Ideally, this creates a continuous loop: Herald of Ice shocks, triggering Herald of Thunder; Herald of Thunder freezes, triggering Herald of Ice, and so on. In practice, the chain often breaks after one or two cycles due to the need for a consistent supply of enemies. Breaches, with their high enemy density, are particularly well-suited for this strategy.

The chain reaction is initiated by first proccing Herald of Ice via a Freeze and subsequent shatter (e.g., Monk's Ice Strike). The resulting cold explosion shocks, triggering the chain. Prioritizing Herald of Ice is advantageous because Freeze is easier to inflict than Shock, and Herald of Thunder's lightning bolts have superior range.