So I'd like some help with making a build...

So I'm finally going to cave. PoE is pretty confusing, and I would like to make my own build. But I'm not really even sure where to start looking for information to make one.

I have a good idea of what I want to make though. After getting a Roth's reach, I wanted to make a build that chains an AoE type Bow Skill, while overlapping those explosions each time (Ideally with Crit). Originally I was thinking Crit chain ice shot with herald of ice to explode the enemies on death,.

The part I struggle to understand in PoE is damage calculations, damage conversions and survivability. My characters die a lot lol.

Could anyone either, help me out or point me in the right direction for a tutorial to explain how to create a build?

Thanks in advance and thanks for reading!