Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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.
📌 What's Covered:
• Meet FunkehChicken and his approach to PoE 2
• Trade League vs. Solo Self-Found philosophies
• Is Async Trade ultimately good for Path of Exile 2?
• Our first Hardcore deaths and what we learned
• How we actually create our builds from scratch
• Softcore vs. Hardcore build design
• What should qualify as a "budget build?"
• Balancing offense versus defense when optimizing builds
• The challenges of making Hardcore build guides
• Community hot takes and Comments of the Week
Hideout Contest Templates: mobalytics.gg/poe-2/guides/hideout-competition-winners-wraeclast-world-tour-2
💬 How do YOU start making a new build? Do you begin with a skill, an item, an Ascendancy, or something else?
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of The Path 2 Exile Podcast, Path of Exile 2 discussions, build guides, balance analysis, and everything happening in POE 2.
#PathOfExile2 #POE2 #Path2ExilePodcast #BuildGuide #Hardcore #SSF #GrindingGearGames
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I stream everyday at 10pm PT: twitch.tv/misoxshiru
Support the channel: patreon.com/c/MisoxShiru
Join my Discord: discord.gg/rr7XDS4kfR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0:00 Intro & Who is FunkehChicken
5:06 Check-in with the boys
9:40 Trade vs SSF
17:15 Is Async Trade a Positive Overall or Negative?
21:31 Our First Deaths in HC
36:49 Check-in with our Builds
39:25 How We Make Our Builds & Softcore vs Hardcore Builds
48:53 What is the budget of a “Budget Build?”
55:23 Min-maxing Damage vs Defenses
1:00:08 Making Build Guides in Hardcore
1:12:31 PoE Players Can't Read
1:24:07 Update - The Contest Winner Hideouts are Posted!
1:24:52 Hot Takes from the Community!
2:04:01 Comments of the Week
2:09:07 Outro - SUBSCRIBE TO THE GUEST & HOSTS!
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.
📌 What's Covered:
• Meet FunkehChicken and his approach to PoE 2
• Trade League vs. Solo Self-Found philosophies
• Is Async Trade ultimately good for Path of Exile 2?
• Our first Hardcore deaths and what we learned
• How we actually create our builds from scratch
• Softcore vs. Hardcore build design
• What should qualify as a "budget build?"
• Balancing offense versus defense when optimizing builds
• The challenges of making Hardcore build guides
• Community hot takes and Comments of the Week
Hideout Contest Templates: mobalytics.gg/poe-2/guides/hideout-competition-winners-wraeclast-world-tour-2
💬 How do YOU start making a new build? Do you begin with a skill, an item, an Ascendancy, or something else?
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of The Path 2 Exile Podcast, Path of Exile 2 discussions, build guides, balance analysis, and everything happening in POE 2.
#PathOfExile2 #POE2 #Path2ExilePodcast #BuildGuide #Hardcore #SSF #GrindingGearGames
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I stream everyday at 10pm PT: twitch.tv/misoxshiru
Support the channel: patreon.com/c/MisoxShiru
Join my Discord: discord.gg/rr7XDS4kfR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0:00 Intro & Who is FunkehChicken
5:06 Check-in with the boys
9:40 Trade vs SSF
17:15 Is Async Trade a Positive Overall or Negative?
21:31 Our First Deaths in HC
36:49 Check-in with our Builds
39:25 How We Make Our Builds & Softcore vs Hardcore Builds
48:53 What is the budget of a “Budget Build?”
55:23 Min-maxing Damage vs Defenses
1:00:08 Making Build Guides in Hardcore
1:12:31 PoE Players Can't Read
1:24:07 Update - The Contest Winner Hideouts are Posted!
1:24:52 Hot Takes from the Community!
2:04:01 Comments of the Week
2:09:07 Outro - SUBSCRIBE TO THE GUEST & HOSTS!
