Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction Preparation Guide - Things to Do to Prepare for POE 3.23

Path of Exile's 3.23 expansion titled "Affliction" is fast approaching, introducing exciting new mechanics, features, and significant updates to the game. To hit the ground running in Affliction and fully enjoy all the new content, careful preparation over the coming weeks will be key. In this POE 3.23 preparation guide, we'll outline the top 7 things to do for Path of Exile Afflication launch.

Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction Preparation Guide - Things to Do to Prepare for POE 3.23

1. Plan Your POE 3.23 League Start Build

Building a strong character is a key aspect of Path of Exile. With the release of POE 3.23 Affliction, it's important to plan your build in advance. Consider the following factors when planning your build:

• Specializations: Decide whether you want to focus on damage over time (DOT) or upfront damage. Tailor your build to your preferred playstyle.

• Map vs. Bossing: Determine whether you want a fast mapper or a boss demolisher. Balancing your build for both map clearing and boss fights is crucial.

• Defenses: Assess the tankiness of your build. Consider whether it is suitable for hardcore or softcore gameplay. Remember, survivability is important.

• Damage Types and Playstyle: Choose a damage style that suits your preferences. Consider the number of buttons you are comfortable smashing.

• Fun Factor: Don't forget to prioritize enjoyment. Building a character should be a fun and engaging experience.

2. Gather Leveling Gear and Uniques

Now is the time to start stockpiling leveling equipment and uniques for your 3.23 builds on Standard. Acquire leveling weapons, movement skills, 4-links and other staples to boost leveling efficiency. Consider crafting basic leveling gear with recipes if able. Premium Stash Tabs let you save organized collections to import. Buy cheap leveling items from other players too. Entering Affliction prepared eliminates time wasted gearing early on a fresh economy.

3. Plan Affliction Early Currency Strategies

Review proven league start money-making methods suitable for Solo Self-Found or trading playstyles. Sell 6-sockets, quality gems and other flip items. Target low-investment content like Heist or Expedition. Prepare to sell levelled vendor recipe items, Jewellers/Fusings for early chaos. Queue these currency preparations now for immediate Affliction strategies.

4. Powerlevel and Gear Alternatives

A strong starter facilitates farming other builds. Take the time pre-league to fully level support gems and secondary characters to maps. Craft basic gear sets for your alts ready to equip beforehand too. Skipping acts multiple times saves enormous time better spent grinding Affliction itself. Greater character options facilitates rolling with league mechanics smoothly.

5. Complete Atlas Passive Tree

Carefully plan your endgame Atlas Passive trees catering to the Affliction playstyle. Focus Passives grant sooner aid. Consider buying tree respecs to fully research builds ahead of the league. Any Atlas progress now means jumping straight into red map grinding leverage upon entry. Hitting endgame ahead yields economic advantage through better rewards.

6. Restock Maps and Consumables

Hoard stockpiles of leveling and red Maps, Sacred Orbs, Map Fragments and other consumables. Gather leveling currency like Portal Scrolls too for fresh characters. Obtain and organize resources needed to push immediately into endgame when Affliction starts. Set yourself up well to efficiently complete atlas objectives from the outset.

7. Craft and Stockpile Key Resources

Scope Affliction's impacted systems like Harvest, Heist, Expedition or the return of Ritual. Horizon farm for new Heist contracts or craft Fossils/Resonators/Scarabs ahead of their altered purpose. Hoard materials for Affliction's first burst of profitable early crafting. Being well-resourced multiplies your ability to quickly progress and profit.

What to Expect for Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction League?

With the above preparations in mind, here is what excited Exiles can likely expect from Path of Exile's 3.23 Affliction league specifically:

- New Challenge League Mechanic - Affliction: The new league will centre around managing a gradual "Affliction" debuff. Progressing maps or defeating certain monsters spreads the debuff, causing gameplay detriments. Cleansing rituals or interacting with special zones resets the debuff. Strategically progressing with the Affliction adds challenging risk/reward gameplay.

- Reworked Skill Gems and Supports: As with past leagues, 3.23 will rebalance underused skills and supports to expand build diversity. Popular skills may also receive changes. Exiles can test new mechanics and synergies on the PTR when available pre-league.

- New Endgame Bosses and Areas: Expect fresh Sirus-tier bosses and Maps extending the Atlas. Rewards from the new encounters will shape the meta through high-demand unique drops or crafting materials.

- Mini-Expansion Content: Smaller expansions like new quests, NPC dialogues, microtransactions and other flavor enhance the core gameplay loop. These supplement rather than define the league but add welcome depth.

- Quality of Life Improvements: Each patch aims to incrementally improve QoL based on community feedback. 3.23 should advance inventory/trading, graphics updates, animations and other refinement.

- Item Filter Optimizations: Filters will receive adjustments matching rewards from new content. Updating before league ensures maximizing gains once live.

- Affliction-Exclusive Uniques: New top-tier unique items will drop from endgame bosses designed around Affliction's mechanics. Chasing these trophies drives long-term goals.

- New Cosmetic Rewards: Complete newchallenge achievements and cosmetic microtransactions await dedicated Exiles willing to fully master Affliction's trials.

- Economy Shifts: Supply and demand alterations shape initial Affliction markets. Investing ahead of hype yields opportunity through provisioning scarce resources.