How do experienced Path of Exile 2 players actually make their own builds? Where do they start, what do they prioritize, and how do they know when a build is ”finished?”In Episode 56 of The Path 2 Exile Podcast, we're joined by  @FunkehChicken , one of the most respected build creators in the Path of Exile 2 community, to dive deep into the process behind making successful builds.We kick things off by discussing our recent experiences in Hardcore, Trade, and Solo Self-Found, including whether Async Trade has ultimately been a positive addition to PoE 2 and how our first Hardcore deaths have shaped the way we approach the game.The heart of the episode focuses on build creation. We discuss how we actually design our builds from the ground up, the differences between creating builds for Softcore versus Hardcore, what players should realistically expect from a ”budget build,” and the constant balancing act between maximizing damage and investing in defenses.We also talk about the unique challenges of creating build guides in Hardcore, why communication can sometimes be one of the hardest parts of content creation, react to community hot takes, and finish with another round of Comments of the Week.