Top 5 Common Mistakes Players Make with Hinekora’s Lock

Hinekora’s Lock is one of the most exciting tools in PoE 2 because it lets you “peek” at your crafting results before you commit. Many players love using it, especially when dealing with valuable PoE 2 currency like Orbs of Binding, Perfect Fusing Orbs, or Sacred Orbs. But even with such a strong item, players often make simple mistakes that waste time and currency. Here are the top five mistakes and how you can avoid them. These tips are easy to understand and very practical, even if you are new to crafting or like to buy PoE 2 currency to speed up your progress.

1. Using Hinekora’s Lock on Low-Value Items

A very common mistake is using Hinekora’s Lock on random gear that you will replace soon. This is like spending a rare candy on a level-5 pet. Instead, save your Lock for items that matter—like weapons you plan to use for many chapters or high-tier bases. A smart trick is to collect good bases ahead of time using PoE 2 currency you farm or when you buy PoE 2 currency from trusted places like u4gm. Once you have a strong base, your Lock becomes much more meaningful.

2. Not Preparing Enough Crafting Materials First

Another mistake is using Hinekora’s Lock before preparing enough materials. If you only have one or two crafting orbs, the “peek” doesn’t help much. Before crafting, gather a small pool of useful PoE 2 currency—like Tempering Orbs, Chaos Orbs, and Perfect Regal Orbs.
Quick tip: Make a little box in your stash called “Crafting Prep” and store at least 20–30 orbs before using the Lock. This saves time and gives you better control over your results.

3. Forgetting to Lock in the Good Rolls

Some players see a result they like but accidentally click again and lose it. In PoE 2 this is painful, especially when you used rare currency. Always stop the moment you see stats you want. If you’re unsure, ask yourself a simple question: “Does this help my build right now?” If the answer is yes, lock it in immediately and move on.

4. Trying to Force Perfect Stats Too Early

New players often think every item must be perfect. That is not true. Early on, you only need items that keep you alive and help you clear zones. You don’t need triple-high tiers while you’re still level 30. Use the Lock to get good, not perfect, upgrades. Save your premium PoE 2 currency for endgame gear, where small upgrades actually matter.

5. Ignoring Base Item Quality Before Crafting

Another simple but harmful mistake is crafting on a weak base. Even with Hinekora’s Lock, a bad base stays bad. Before spending currency, check if your base has good implicit stats or high item level. A strong base makes your currency worth much more. You can farm these from strong monsters or buy them cheaply when you buy PoE 2 currency bundles and trade for the bases you want.

Final Practical Crafting Plan

Here’s a simple step-by-step method that works great for beginners:

1. Pick a good base that supports your build.
2. Gather 20–30 useful orbs first.
3. Use Hinekora’s Lock only on this prepared item.
4. Stop crafting the moment you see a strong, helpful upgrade.
5. Save high-tier currency for late-game gear.

Follow these tips, and you’ll get much more value from both Hinekora’s Lock and your PoE 2 currency, helping you craft stronger gear with less stress.