In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), Hinekora’s Lock has quickly become one of the most coveted and powerful crafting currency items in the game. Introduced to give players unprecedented insight into crafting outcomes, this rare tool lets you peek at the result of your next currency use before committing to it — effectively letting you avoid disastrous RNG results and save precious orbs and resources in the POE 2 Currency process.

What Is Hinekora’s Lock and Why It Matters

Hinekora’s Lock is a special currency item added in recent PoE 2 patches that allows you to foresee the outcome of the next currency you would apply to an item. When applied, it gives the item a purple “preview aura,” and hovering over different currency items (like Chaos, Exalted, or Annul Orbs) shows exactly what result would occur if used. Only one preview is shown per application, and once you commit to a currency or modify the item, the lock disappears.

This mechanic shifts crafting from blind luck into calculated choice — especially useful for high-end gear where a single bad roll can waste days of investment. Players often reserve their Locks for endgame weapons, jewelry, or rare bases where the potential value of a perfect craft justifies the Lock’s rarity.

How to Farm Hinekora’s Lock

Because of its value, Hinekora’s Lock is not easy to come by, and farming it can take time and effort. Here are the most reliable methods currently known:

1. Random Monster Drops
Hinekora’s Lock can occasionally drop from monsters and enemies throughout Wraeclast, though at very low rates.

2. Currency Exchange NPCs
After completing Act 3, players can visit Currency Exchange NPCs in every Act hub who offer Hinekora’s Lock in exchange for other currency — a more consistent way than pure RNG.

3. Player Trade Market
Because the item is tradeable, the PoE 2 market is often the most reliable way to get Locks. Use the official Trade Page or third-party trading sites to search for offers and exchange other currency for them.

4. Farming High-Tier Maps and Item Quantity
Some players focus on running red-tier maps with high item quantity and modifiers to increase drop chances. While not a guaranteed method, it’s efficient for coupling general loot runs with Lock farming.

Best Practices for Using Hinekora’s Lock

Once you have a Hinekora’s Lock, using it well is key to maximizing its value:

Applying the Lock

Right-click the Hinekora’s Lock in your inventory.

Left-click the item you want to preview.

Hover over the currency orb you’re considering — the preview will show the exact result.

Strategic Usage Tips

Save locks for high-value crafts. Don’t waste them on leveling gear or items you’ll replace soon.

Preview expensive outcomes. Use them before applying Exalted Orbs, Annul Orbs, or Chaos Orbs on powerful bases.

Avoid modification resets. Any change to the item (like sockets or bench crafts) will remove the lock’s preview effect.

Reset previews if needed. If you don’t like the outcome, you can cancel and try again with different currency or clear the lock with another cheap currency to reapply later.

Use Cases That Shine

Annul and Chaos Control: Instead of gambling away key mods, preview to ensure you remove the right one.

Endgame Perfection: When crafting near-perfect gear, knowing whether an Exalted Orb will hit a needed mod is invaluable.

Corruption Safety: Being able to see what a Vaal or corruption outcome will be before committing can save rare items.

Final Thoughts

Hinekora’s Lock is one of Path of Exile 2’s most powerful crafting tools, turning one of the most frustrating elements — random outcomes — into strategic decisions. Farming them takes persistence and smart play, but using them wisely can drastically improve your crafting success and save tons of rare currency. Whether you’re pursuing endgame gear or trying to POE 2 Currency for sale maximize economic return, mastering Hinekora’s Lock is a hallmark of a seasoned exile.