Hey there, Path of Exile enthusiasts! Ready to delve into the art of build crafting in PoE 3.23? You're in the right place. Building your character in Affliction Expansion can be as daunting as facing the Shaper, but fear not! Today, we'll break it down, making it digestible even for the newest exile out there.

• Setting Your Goals
• The Build Itself
• Damage & Tankiness
• A Little Details
• The Layers 
• Damage Mitigation
• The Fun Factor

↖ Setting Your Goals

First off, ask yourself, "What's my goal?" Are you prepping a League starter or crafting your alternative build of the PoE 3.23 season? Your approach will vary massively. Consider:

• Specific Gear Needs: Do you need unique items or rare influenced gear? Or can you rock with stuff picked off the ground?
• Playstyle Preference: Love totems or despise them? Don't just follow the meta. Choose what you enjoy.
• Gear Competition: If everyone's after the same gear (looking at you, Explosive Arrow builds), it'll be pricier. Choose wisely!
• Build Complexity: Are you up for complicated mechanics or prefer something straightforward?

↖ The Build Itself

Next, let's talk about the meat of the matter - the build itself.

• Specializations: Love Damage Over Time (DOTs)? Or prefer upfront damage? Tailor your build to your liking.
• Map vs. Bossing: Need a fast mapper or a boss demolisher? Maybe both? Balance is key.
• Defenses: Is your build tanky enough for hardcore? Or are you playing dodgeball on softcore? Remember, a dead exile deals no DPS.
• Damage Types and Playstyle: From ignites to physical slams, choose a damage style that suits you. And how many buttons are you comfortable smashing?
• Fun Factor: Never forget, we're here to have fun! Don't min-max the joy out of your game.

↖ Damage & Tankiness

• Balancing Act: Damage can be your best defense. But don't skimp on survivability, especially in hardcore.
• Layered Defenses: Combine armor, evasion, spell suppression, and more for a robust defense against Wraeclast's nasties.
• Damage Output: Aim for a sweet spot of damage. Too low, and you'll struggle; too high, and you might sacrifice survivability.

↖ A Little Details

• Skill Tree Planning: Avoid unnecessary travel nodes. Every point counts!
• Anointments and Gearing: Choose your anointments wisely. They can make or break a build.
• Game Mechanics: Get to grips with how armor works, how to handle degens, and more. PoE is a game of details.

↖ The Layers 

Building in PoE is like making a lasagna - it's all about the layers! Here's how to layer up your build:

• Travel Smartly on the Skill Tree: Focus on gathering essential nodes and avoid unnecessary wandering. This isn't a sightseeing tour!
• Anointment Magic: Use anointments to snag that one skill node sitting in Timbuktu on the skill tree. It's like having a teleporter!
• Defensive Strategy: Layer your defenses. A mix of armor, evasion, spell suppression, and fortifications can make you tougher than a Wraeclast steak.
• The Deception of Armor: Remember, armor in PoE can be a bit of a fibber. It's great against small hits but doesn't stand up to the big punches.

↖ Damage Mitigation

• Elemental Shuffling: Convert some physical damage to elemental. It's like redirecting traffic to avoid a jam.
• Understanding the Numbers: Realize that the damage reduction number in your character sheet isn't the whole story. It's more like a trailer than the full movie.
• Using Armor Wisely: Armor is your friend against numerous tiny hits. It's like having an army of tiny shields.
• Balancing Act: Aim for at least one or two million damage for your starter character. It's like ensuring your sword isn't just a fancy stick.
• Flask Finesse: Flasks aren't just for show. Use them wisely for both defense and offense. Think of them as your magic potions.

↖ The Fun Factor

• Enjoy the Ride: The key to your build? Having a blast! Don't get so caught up in the details that you forget to enjoy the game.
• Experiment and Adapt: Play around with different styles and mechanics. PoE is your playground – go wild!
• The Art of Respec: Don't sweat it if you don't nail it on the first try. PoE's respec system lets you refine and improve. Embrace it!
• Learn and Grow: PoE is deep and ever-evolving. Whether you're just starting or have clocked thousands of hours, there's always something new to learn. Dive into the complexity and enjoy every step of the journey.

Related: PoE 3.23 Effective Tools and Addons!

So, there you have it, exiles – your guide to building a strong character in Path of Exile 3.23. Remember, it's about understanding the game, planning your build, and, most importantly, having fun. See you in Wraeclast, and may the loot gods be ever in your favor!