Path of Exile 3.23: Affliction Details

“Something moves in the mists. Something… sinister. Thorn, rot, plague, and claw- the Affliction spreads. It hungers for more. Tread lightly in the Wildwood, which shifts and bites. Accept our help; the ancient power of the Azmeri. Beware the spirits that yearn for freedom. And the heart of evil but waits in the dark. Ready yourself. I will be waiting.”

Exiles, prepare for adventure! Path of Exile’s 3.23 Affliction expansion arrives December 8 (PST) for PC/Mac users, with console versions following on December 13. This chilling new league introduces the Viridian Wildwood, a corrupted forest teeming with danger and opportunity.

As you explore Wraeclast, you’ll discover Sacred Wisps that guide you toward the Wildwood’s mysterious depths. A malevolent darkness has consumed this ancient woodland, and only by uncovering its hidden mysteries can you lift the Affliction’s curse.

Your Wisps provide limited illumination against the encroaching darkness. Manage this resource carefully—once depleted, you’ll be ejected back to safety. The shadowy realm contains deadly creatures that actively hunt intruders, making efficient pathfinding crucial for survival.

During exploration, you’ll find imprisoned Wisps of various types. Collecting these ethereal guides reveals hidden content including new NPCs, sacred locations, challenging bosses, and special encounters. Substantial rewards await those who master the forest’s dangers.

When you exit the Wildwood, rescued Wisps disperse into the environment, inhabiting randomly selected monsters. This symbiotic relationship enhances both creature strength and potential loot drops. Each Wisp type provides different benefits, and when multiple varieties occupy a single enemy, combat difficulty escalates alongside reward potential.

Primal Wisps increase rare item drop chances, while Vivid Wisps boost overall item quantity. Wild Wisps (previously mentioned as the third type) trigger currency item drops from affected monsters. The ultimate prize comes from creatures influenced by all three Wisp varieties, which unleash torrents of rare items alongside massive currency showers.

Advanced Strategy: Target monsters with all three Wisp types for maximum efficiency. Primal (blue) increases rarity, Vivid (purple) boosts quantity, and Wild (yellow) generates currency. Combining all three creates exponential reward scaling that experienced players should prioritize.

Common Mistake: Many players waste their Wisp charges by exploring inefficiently. Instead, plan your route to maximize encounters with imprisoned Wisps before your illumination expires.

Throughout your Wildwood journeys, you’ll encounter surviving Azmeri Wanderers who have endured the forest’s corruption. These ancient beings offer access to powerful new Ascendancy classes that complement your existing specialization.

Choose which Azmeri mentor to assist—completing their quests unlocks up to eight points for these distinctive classes that operate alongside your primary Ascendancy.

The Warden of Eaves teaches the Warden of the Maji path, leveraging wilderness wisdom for combat advantage. This class utilizes Tinctures—special weapon coatings that provide unique bonuses. Ironwood Tincture guarantees stuns against full-health enemies, while Oakbranch Tincture delivers devastating finishing blows ideal for boss encounters.

Wardens of the Maji gain additional survival abilities like Barkskin, which grows protective bark over your body to increase armor. As you sustain damage, the bark sheds temporarily, converting the defensive bonus into evasion rating.

The Breaker of Oaths instructs in the Warlock of the Mists discipline, focusing on the Azmeri’s shadowy arts. The Blood Hunt ability allows corpse consumption for damage boosts and protection against monsters sharing the consumed corpse’s type. This mentor also sells exotic corpses that can be utilized as powerful spectres. Warlocks additionally gain access to three new curse skills for tactical versatility.

The Primal Huntress mentors Wildwood Primalists, offering unique customization through Charms—attribute-aligned magic items containing up to two random modifiers drawn from standard Ascendancy classes.

Wildwood Primalists acquire other significant capabilities including expanded inventory space and warcry-enhanced loot generation from defeated enemies.

The Affliction expansion delivers diverse rewards through multiple systems. Monsters throughout Wraeclast can become Wisp-enhanced, dramatically improving both item quality and drop frequency. League progression unlocks Wildwood Ascendancy Classes and their associated Charms, Corpses, or Tinctures. The mist-shrouded Wildwood conceals additional secret discoveries for thorough explorers. Over 15 new unique items join Path of Exile’s arsenal.

Major System Overhaul: Alternate Quality Gems, Labyrinth Helmet Enchantments, and Unique Threshold Jewels consolidate into Transfigured Gems—alternative skill gem versions featuring redesigned functionality and rebalanced mechanics. The system includes over 100 variants such as Frost Bomb of Instability, Detonate Dead of Scavenging, Raise Zombie of Falling, and Firestorm of Meteors.

The Divine Font undergoes complete transformation into an advanced gem crafting station. This endgame device can generate Transfigured Gems, enhance gem quality or experience levels, sacrifice gems for Treasure Keys, and exchange Support Gems for premium versions like Empower and Enlighten.

Expert Tip: Prioritize gem experience enhancement for your primary skills, as the power scaling from leveled gems significantly outweighs most other options for character progression.

I wish you triumphant adventures along your new path!

No reproduction without permission：OnLineGames Guides » Path of Exile 3.23: Affliction Details Master Path of Exile's Affliction League with expert strategies for Wisps, Ascendancy classes, and Transfigured Gems