The Balance of Terror is a unique Cobalt Jewel in Path of Exile that offers additional benefits for using curse Skills. It comes with a guaranteed (10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances and two random modifiers from a pool of 18 possible options. Obtaining the desired modifiers can be a challenging task due to the randomness of drops.
To acquire The Balance of Terror in Path of Exile, you must defeat Lycia, Herald of the Scourge, who is a boss located within the Forbidden Sanctum. Lycia will only appear as the final boss on the fourth floor of the Sanctum if you use one of her unique Relics. Each floor of the Sanctum presents increasing levels of difficulty, so it is advisable to start with the lowest level of Tome before beginning your run.
Defeating Lycia will guarantee you The Balance of Terror, provided you use The Blood of Innocence unique Relic to initiate the Sanctum run. It is important to note that there is also the Nightmare of Lycia, a different boss found in the T17 Map (Sanctuary), who does not drop The Balance of Terror.
If farming for The Balance of Terror proves to be too time-consuming, you can explore the in-game market to purchase the Jewel from other players. Depending on the desired modifiers, the item may cost multiple Chaos Orbs or even Divines.
The Balance of Terror offers a variety of curse modifiers that can enhance your gameplay experience. Some of the possible modifiers include immunity to certain status ailments, increased damage output, and other utility effects. By strategically selecting the curse modifiers that align with your build, you can optimize the benefits provided by The Balance of Terror.
Incorporating The Balance of Terror into your build requires an open socket within the passive tree. The jewel slot can accommodate the item, allowing you to benefit from its Elemental Resistance bonuses and curse modifiers. Multiple copies of the Jewel can be used in curse-based builds to maximize the buffs provided.
Overall, The Balance of Terror is a valuable asset in Path of Exile for players looking to enhance their curse-based builds. By understanding how to obtain and utilize this unique Jewel effectively, you can optimize your character’s performance in the game.

