How Heralds of Ice and Thunder Synergize in Path of Exile 2

This guide explains the Double Herald setup in Path of Exile 2, combining Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder for massive screen-clearing potential. While understanding the interaction isn't strictly necessary, it helps with build optimization.

How to Use Double Herald (Herald of Ice + Herald of Thunder)

The Double Herald setup requires:

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 recommended).
3. 60 Spirit.
4. A method of inflicting Cold damage (e.g., Monk's Ice Strike, passive skills boosting Freeze, or the Against the Darkness Time-Lost Diamond Jewel).

Remember to activate both Heralds in your skill menu.

How Double Herald Works

Herald of Ice triggers on Shattered enemies (frozen then attacked). However, its Cold damage cannot Freeze, preventing self-perpetuation. Herald of Thunder triggers on killing Shocked enemies, but it cannot Shock.

The key is the Support Gems: 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 a chain reaction: Herald of Ice (via Lightning) shocks, triggering Herald of Thunder; Herald of Thunder (via Cold) freezes, triggering Herald of Ice, and so on.

While theoretically infinite, in practice, the chain usually ends after one or two cycles due to enemy density. Breaches are ideal due to the high number of enemies.

Initiation involves Freezing and shattering an enemy with a Cold skill (like Ice Strike) to proc Herald of Ice, starting the chain reaction. Prioritizing Herald of Ice is better because Freeze is easier to inflict than Shock, and Herald of Thunder's lightning bolts have better range.