As we gear up for Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction, let's break down the top three strategies for raking in that sweet currency and crafting materials right from the league start. Perfect for the lone wolves in Solo Self-Found or anyone looking for a solid plan, these methods are a surefire way to get your build off to a roaring start. Ready to dive in? Let's get to it!

• Top 1. Essence Farming
• Top 2. Blight Farming
• Top 3. Heist Farming

↖ Top 1. Essence Farming

• Why It Rocks: Essences don't care about map tiers, making them an ace in the hole for early league cash flow.
• Pro Moves: Keep an eye out for the Remnant of Corruption to twist those Essences into something more lucrative. Target Essences like Dread or Envy that could morph into big-ticket rewards.
• Map Mastery: Speed run through those lower-tier maps, hunting down Essence mobs. Simple, quick, and oh-so-effective.
• Atlas Insights: Pick those Atlas nodes that beef up your Essence game for maximum yield.
• Map Selection: Speed is key, so hit up maps like Strand or Atoll. Pro tip for Atoll runners: Essences love to hang out in the middle, so plan your route to hit them up.

↖ Top 2. Blight Farming

• The Big Draw: Blight maps are a universal win, focusing on smart tower setups over brute strength.
• Loot Lowdown: Varying rewards, but the sheer number of Blight chests means you're almost always getting something sweet. Remember, item quantity and rarity stats don't touch these chests, but they do spice up the drops from Blight monsters.
• Scarab Squad & Atlas Allies: Use Blight scarabs to secure those Blighted maps. Also, Atlas nodes specific to Blight will up your game here.
• Tower Tactics: Mix it up with Chilling or Freeze Bolt towers, back them up with Seismic for control, and don't forget the Empowering towers to juice up the others.
• Map Choices: Closed layouts like Core or Toxic Sewer give you the best spots to set up those chokepoints.

↖ Top 3. Heist Farming

• Why It's Worth It: Heists are overflowing with Affliction currency, gear, and exclusives. It takes some prep to get your Rogues ready, but the rewards are off the charts.
• Kickoff Strategy: Dive into contracts and blueprints early to build up a solid base for more profitable heists down the line.
• Speed Demon Tip: Fast characters shine in heists, especially when dealing with Deception contracts for a smooth getaway.
• Atlas Boosts: Specific Atlas nodes will give your heists that extra edge.

These strategies have been our bread and butter for several leagues, consistently filling our pockets. Always remember, Path of Exile is about having a blast. Efficiency and wealth are cool and all, but the real treasure is enjoying the ride.