If you're coming straight from the first Path of Exile, you're probably used to Herald of Thunder being that reliable, automated lightning storm that basically plays the game for you while you run through maps. You slap on two Storm Secret rings, stack some lone-messenger-style buffs, and watch the world melt.
But honestly? Things have changed.
In Path of Exile 2, the "walking simulator" dream isn't just handed to you on a silver platter. Grinding Gear Games (GGG) shifted the fundamental identity of Heralds. They aren't just mana-reserving background noise anymore. They’re active participants in your combat rhythm. If you try to build it like the old days, you're going to be staring at a grayed-out icon and wondering why your Spirit is perpetually at zero.
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The Spirit System: The Real Reason Your Herald Isn't Working
First off, forget mana reservation. Well, mostly.
In PoE 2, Herald of Thunder now reserves Spirit—a dedicated resource for permanent buffs, auras, and minions. You start with zero. Yeah, zero. To even turn the skill on, you need to find ways to increase your Maximum Spirit.
Where do you actually get Spirit?
Most people get stuck here. You don't just "level up" and get it. You have to hunt it down.
- The King in the Mists: In Act 1, this is your first big hit of +30 Spirit.
- Ignagduk, the Bog Witch: This lovely lady in Act 3 gives you another +30.
- Scepters: Some scepter bases come with a flat +100 Spirit, which is massive for casters.
Basically, if your UI says "0/30" and the button won't click, you haven't done your homework in the campaign yet. It's a hard gate, but it prevents every single build from just stacking five different auras for "free" early on.
How the New Mechanics Actually Function
The tooltip for Herald of Thunder in PoE 2 reads like a whole different language. It’s no longer just "kill a shocked enemy, get a storm."
Now, the skill is deeply tied to your Attacks. While the buff is active, killing a shocked enemy with a non-Herald attack hit triggers a condition. Your subsequent attack hits will release lightning bolts. See the difference? It’s a payoff for being active. It doesn't just strike everything on the screen while you're looting; it strikes when you’re swinging your weapon or firing your bow.
The Math of the Bolts
The bolts deal roughly 30% to 122% of attack damage depending on the gem level. Here’s the kicker: they scale with your weapon. Since these are now considered attack hits rather than just secondary spell damage, your flat damage on your staff or bow actually matters for the bolt's punch.
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And don't overlook the radius. It’s been tweaked down to about 1.4 meters. It’s tight. You need to be in the thick of it. This isn't a screen-wide clear tool anymore; it's a localized explosion of electrical violence.
Scaling the Storm Without Breaking Your Brain
Kinda funny how we used to just stack "lightning damage" and call it a day. In the 0.4.0 environment, scaling is a bit more nuanced.
Quality on the gem is actually worth the investment now. Usually, it adds more bolts to your next series of attacks. Instead of the lightning striking for just three hits, a high-quality gem can push that to five or six. That’s more clear per trigger, which feels much smoother in high-density packs.
Support Gem Interactions
Since the bolts are now technically "Attack Hits" in the PoE 2 framework, you can support them with things that usually only worked on primary skills.
- Elemental Armament: Great for boosting that flat lightning.
- Pinpoint Critical: If you’re going for a crit-heavy Monk or Sorceress hybrid, this is non-negotiable.
- Added Frequency: You still want those bolts hitting fast. The 0.25-second interval is the baseline, but you want to push that lower if possible.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Autobombers"
I see this in Discord all the time. Someone says, "I'm making a Herald of Thunder autobomber," and then they realize they have to actually hit something to keep the loop going.
PoE 2 is more about "combos" than "automation." To make a "Modern Autobomber," you're likely using something like Whirling Assault or Flicker Strike to trigger the initial shocks and kills. Once the Herald is "primed," every subsequent Flicker Strike sends out bolts. It’s an engine. You are the spark plug. Without you constantly attacking, the engine stalls.
Also, the "Secondary Damage" tag still exists for the bolts in some contexts, meaning they cannot shock on their own. You need another source of shock—usually your main skill—to keep the cycle alive. If you aren't shocking consistently, your Herald of Thunder is just a pretty blue glow on your hands that does nothing.
Practical Setup for Your First Build
If you’re just starting out in the early access or the latest league, don’t overcomplicate it.
The Basic Chain:
Use a skill with high hit frequency like Arc or a fast melee skill. Ensure you have at least a 10% chance to shock (or just high crit). Once you see those blue bolts starting to drop, you know you're in the rhythm. Keep moving. The 1-second cooldown on the activation is there to prevent lag spikes, but it shouldn't hold you back if you're constantly engaged.
The Gear Priority:
Look for "Adds X to X Lightning Damage to Attacks" on your rings and jewelry. Because the Herald bolts now scale off your attack's base, this flat damage gets applied with high effectiveness. It's often better than just taking 20% increased lightning damage from the tree.
Next Steps for Your Character:
Check your Spirit total right now. If you're at the base cap, go finish the King in the Mists quest in Act 1 or the Bog Witch in Act 3. Once you have the Spirit to spare, socket Herald of Thunder and link it with Elemental Focus (if you don't care about the bolts shocking) or Increased Critical Hit to start seeing those massive yellow numbers.
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Get your shock chance up to at least 25% through the passive tree or gear, and you'll find the lightning bolts becoming a permanent fixture of your playstyle rather than a rare occurrence.