Hey there, Path of Exile fans! As we take a wild guess at the buffs and nerfs coming in the 3.23 Affliction patch. With the teasers dropping and the Affliction live stream just around the corner, we’re dissecting what's hot and what's not in the upcoming update. From overhauled mechanics to speculated adjustments, let’s dive into the world of PoE predictions!

• 3 Nerfs Predicted
• 3 Buffs Predicted

↖ 3 Nerfs Predicted

1. Returning Projectiles Take a Hit:

Watch out, Jungr! It's not the support gem itself but the overall returning projectiles mechanic that's ripe for a nerf. Eye of Winter and Arcanist Brand, We are looking at you. GGG might fine-tune this to squash out the absurd interactions while keeping the mechanic viable for legitimate uses.

2. Pathfinder Flask Effect Trimmed:

Since the rework, Pathfinder's been a bit too flask-happy. We are betting on a subtle nerf here, perhaps tweaking the small nodes on the Pathfinder ascendency from 5% flask effect to maybe 3-4%. Nature's Boon could also see a reduction, aiming to dial back the total flask effect achievable without gutting the class.

3. Sanctum Rewards Downsized:

Sanctum, you've been a bit too generous with Divine orbs and mirrors. Expect a tweak in reward structures or maybe a nerf to sanctum relics, especially those revealing rooms. The current sanctum setup seems too lucrative to survive into 3.23 unchanged.

↖ 3 Buffs Predicted

1. Melee Revival:

It's high time for melee to shine! Ancestor totems need a rework – integrate those melee buffs into baseline abilities, and let's rework those totems for pure attack power. Plus, can we get rid of those negative attack speed multipliers on melee skills? It's about time melee felt less clunky.

2. Mana Stacking and Blood Magic Boost:

Both archetypes need some love. The trade-offs for using Blood Magic or not reserving mana for auras are currently not worth it. Expect tweaks in the Keystone or new support gems, making these choices more competitive.

3. Gladiator and Raider Ascendency Rework:

Gladiator could use more support for melee bleed and dual wielding or shield usage. Meanwhile, Raider feels a bit bland and could do with more versatile options in the ascendency tree, perhaps some two-pointer options to spice things up.

That's my take on the upcoming buffs and nerfs in the 3.23 Affliction League. What are your predictions? Comment below with your thoughts! As always, stay tuned and stay safe. Can't wait to start planning our league start journeys after the big reveal – it's always a blast! See you in Wraeclast!