In this vast and ever-changing world of Path of Exile (PoE) 3.23, understanding how to craft items is a must-have skill for any committed player. This guide specifically addresses players seeking to craft the best shield possible by breaking down the process, tips, and techniques that go into crafting the perfect shield suitable for the build you are having in mind.

• Crafting the Perfect Shield
• Advanced Tips
• Conclusion

↖ Crafting the Perfect Shield

• Gathering Your Materials: First things first, you'll need divine orbs, exalts and fossils. Don't forget to stock up on your purple juice for that extra crafting edge!
• Finding the Right Base: Start with high item level shields (86+ is ideal). Synthesized bases can give extra mods but any high-tier base will do.
• Fossil Crafting: Use your fossils wisely. We' ve got 64 on hand and we are going for triple T1 mods. It's a gamble but it pays off big time.

The Crafting Process

• Spotting T1 Hybrid Mods: If you get a T1 hybrid mod then you're off to a great start.
• Craft Strategies: Consider choices like 'Prefixes cannot be changed', 'Reforge Defense' or some blocking certain mods in order to increase opportunities of hitting desired affixes.
• Wise Use of Dense Fossils: They can be key to achieving high ES rolls.
• RNG and Patience: Be prepared for RNG. Sometimes you'll get lucky with the rolls while other times you might have to start over again. Patience is big here.

Divining for Perfection: Time to Divine for those perfect rolls once you've nailed desired mods. This can take several attempts but the ideal stats are worth it.

Crafting the Final Touches:

• Blocking Mods: Craft a mod to block unwanted affixes, then exalt and hope for the best.
• Scouring and Repeating: If you don't hit the desired mod, use 'Prefixes cannot be changed', scour, and try again.

↖ Advanced Tips

• Reforge Lightning vs. Exalting: Reforge Lightning can quickly fill suffixes but has a lower chance of landing the right mod. Exalting has higher price but gives more control over the final outcome.
• Managing Mana Cost and ES: Crafting for reduced mana cost or high ES is crucial for certain builds. Aim for these stats if they align with your build's needs.

↖ Conclusion

Crafting the perfect shield in PoE 3.23 requires strategy, luck, and patience. However, you can create a shield that not only suits your build but also enhances it to greater heights with the right approach. Remember that every failed attempt brings you closer to that dream shield.