Hinekora’s Lock is a unique and powerful currency item in Path of Exile (PoE) that offers players the ability to foresee the result of their next crafting attempt. This allows for strategic planning and reduces the risk associated with using valuable currency items on gear.
What is Hinekora’s Lock?
Item Description
Stack Size: 10
Effect: Allows an item to foresee the result of the next currency item used on it.
Usage: Right-click Hinekora’s Lock, then left-click an item to apply it.
Key Mechanics
Preview Function: Using Hinekora’s Lock on an item reveals the outcome of the next currency item used on it. The player can preview this outcome by hovering over the item with the currency selected.
Modifying Restrictions: If the item is modified in any other way, the ability to foresee is removed.
Currency Compatibility: The item retains the previewed state when using the same currency. Using a different currency will not cause the previewed outcome to occur and will remove the effects of Hinekora’s Lock.
Restrictions and Limitations
Item Compatibility: Cannot be used on gems, corrupted, mirrored, or unmodifiable items.
Crafting Limitations: Does not work with the Crafting Bench, Horticrafting Station, beastcrafting, recombinators, or non-crafting Betrayal Safehouse benches.
Preview Persistence: The previewed state of the item persists when traded, marked by a small icon and a purple glow effect on the item’s 2D art.
Exclusion from Certain Actions: Applying incubators does not remove the previewed state, but changing an item’s quality, links, or implicit modifiers does.
Strategic Use of Hinekora’s Lock
Effective Crafting
Select the Target Item: Ensure the item you wish to enhance can be modified by the desired currency.
Apply Hinekora’s Lock: Right-click Hinekora’s Lock and left-click the target item.
Preview the Outcome: Hover over the item with the currency selected to see the outcome.
Decide: If satisfied with the previewed outcome, proceed with the currency. If not, consider using a different item or modify the target item to remove the previewed state and try again.
Optimization Strategies
Low-Risk Rerolls: Changing an item’s quality, links, or implicit modifiers removes the previewed state, allowing players to reroll the previewed outcome without using the intended currency.
Multi-Currency Approach: Having several useful currencies on hand increases the effectiveness of Hinekora’s Lock. For instance, preview outcomes with a Divine Orb, Tempering Orb, and Sacred Orb using the same lock to maximize the chance of desirable results.
Item Acquisition
Drop Sources
Hinekora’s Lock can drop anywhere in the game, making it a valuable and versatile currency for players seeking to optimize their crafting outcomes.
Conclusion
Hinekora’s Lock provides a unique advantage in the unpredictable world of PoE crafting. By allowing players to foresee the result of their next currency item usage, it reduces the risk and adds a layer of strategy to item enhancement. Whether you are aiming to perfect your end-game gear or experimenting with new builds, Hinekora’s Lock is an invaluable tool in your Path of Exile arsenal.