This page was last updated for (v1.1.1).
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Dungeon Mechanics
Similar to Into the Mist and Impending Darkness Event, this Dungeon consists of 3 boss phases, each tailored to a specific Combat Style. There will be a paused screen as soon as you enter the dungeon, and before each phase of the boss, where the player can read the boss's abilities and damage values. Unlike those dungeons, there are significantly less mechanics that dynamically change the amount of damage the boss can do, outside of the returning Affliction. Due to this it is generally easier to determine the circumstances in which the player can survive without manually eating. The third phase has a mechanic that instantly kills the player (by dealing about a million damage) if they fall below 90% HP.
Intimidation
Just like every other monster in the , The Herald has a passive effect that reduces the player's Damage Reduction. When in combat with The Herald, the player's base damage reduction is reduced by 44%, before any modifiers from the combat triangle.
Deja-Vu
This ability is found on all three phases of the boss, and is reminiscent of the passive immunities of Bane and Ahrenia. When the boss uses this ability, he becomes immune to all damage from combat styles different than his own for a few turns. This ability is designed to encourage the player to swap equipment sets actively to be able to deal damage, however, the boss generally does too much damage to not take advantage of the Combat Triangle increase to Damage Reduction, and this mechanic can be ignored if you can deal enough damage in between Deja-Vu effects.
Immunities
Each phase of The Herald is immune to stuns and freeze effects as has a 50% chance to avoid Burn, Bleed, Slow and Frostburn.
Each boss also heals 4% of its max HP every 2 turns.
Growing Madness
Every time the boss attacks, it gets faster and can deal more damage, with up to 50% reduced attack interval, and 50% increased Max Hit.
Rewards
Harold - This pet has a ludicrous amount of bonuses for every aspect of the game.
Stats and Buffs
Minimum Recommended Levels
Astrology
As many combat bonuses from Astrology constellations are recommended, but not required. In total, Astrology serves as a massive buff to combat and will make the fight easier. The main bonuses are:
- +5 Hidden Levels for Melee Ranged Magic
- 5% reduced Attack Interval and Enemy Damage Reduction decreased by 5%, from Ashtar
Agility
Consumables
- Food
- Food which heals a large amount of HP such as Whales or better is recommended throughout. However, since the final phase has an attack which will one-shot the player if they are below 90% health, a food which can heal to full health in 1 click is highly recommended. Mystic Shark or similar.
- Consumable Slot
- The only item which benefits DPS that fits into this slot is the Whetstone. However, they only affect Melee. Blood Vial or Portable Rations can be used outside of your melee set, but have very little effect.
Prayer
For Melee, use Battleborn and Valor or the highest level combat style prayers you have available.
For Ranged, use Battleborn and Avidity or the highest level combat style prayers you have available.
For Magic, use Battleborn and Divination or the highest level combat style prayers you have available.
Potions
For all combat styles, use Damage Reduction Potion IV.
Summoning
For all combat styles, use Spectre and Occultist. This synergy adds a ridiculous amount to the player's chance to hit, even with otherwise maxed stats, and helps a lot in actually landing hits.
Phase 1
Here, you will fight The Herald Phase 1. This phase uses Melee, so to make best use of the Combat Triangle, Magic will be the best bet.
Once at maximum stacks of Affliction and Growing Madness, it is possible for the Herald's normal attack to deal lethal damage to the player, therefore manually eating to full health before the Herald performs a normal attack is suggested. For all special attacks, Auto Eat can be relied upon instead.
Phase 2
Here, you will fight The Herald Phase 2. This phase uses Ranged, so to make best use of the combat triangle, Melee will be the best bet due to the Combat Triangle bonuses against Ranged.
With the Voodoo Trinket equipped, the player is able to use curses without a Magic weapon. This is essential, as using the Despair curse is the primary way to deal damage to the boss. This boss becomes SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT if this trinket and curse are not used.
Using the suggested equipment, this phase is relatively low risk as the Herald's maximum hit will often be below the player's Auto Eat threshold. However, manually eating is advised if the Herald performs a normal attack while the player is affected by Sleep, as this can be lethal. For any special attacks, rely on Auto Eat instead.
While the Herald can apply Affliction in this phase, the stacks take a very long time to accumulate, therefore this is not usually a concern.
Phase 3
Here, you will fight The Herald. This phase uses Magic, so to make best use of the combat triangle, Ranged would be ideal. However, since this fight is impossible to idle no matter what, the guide will default to a skill that can simply deal more damage, Magic!
This fight is different from the others. The Herald has a special unavoidable attack Sealed Fate which instantly kills the player if they are below 90% health when it activates. This means this phase cannot be idled, and the player must pay attention to the fight in order to heal themselves to full HP when the boss is using the attack and keep themselves alive for all other attacks. Remember that the boss will be attacking very quickly due to Reign over Time.
The Herald does not apply stacks of Affliction, which does make things easier.