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Convert Nidhögg and upgrade the gemstone sword

Quick answer

At Black forge level 4, craft your chosen variant from one Nidhögg, 6 Flametal and one matching gemstone. This consumes the base sword and produces quality 1. At forge level 5, use the Upgrade tab with that variant, another 6 Flametal and another matching gem to reach quality 2. Build the workshop and select the correct sword before committing.

By

How this guide was checked

✓
Recipes and numbers

Community references, checked 8 Sep 2026. Substantive indexed reference text and relevant tables inspected on 8 September 2026 UTC; direct Wiki retrieval was blocked. Research-based mechanics, not gameplay or installed-build verification. Equipment choices and recovery procedure are editorial recommendations.

✓
Patch notes

Default survival rules · 1.0 release context checked 9 September 2026

See the 9 sourcesSuggest a correction
9 sources
6 steps

Before you start

1

Raise the displayed forge level, not the number of cutters

Prove or fix this

Start with the existing Black forge and cooler from the Mistlands workshop. The Vice uses Mechanical springs made at the Artisan table; its shared recipe includes their all-in metal and eitr cost. Add the Metal cutter from Ashlands materials. Cooler, Vice and Metal cutter together reach level 4 without consuming a gemstone.

Gem cutter is another forge extension, not a bench where you insert gems. Add it alongside the other three extensions to reach level 5 for quality 2. It needs a separate Bloodstone plus Flametal, Ashwood and Morgen sinew. Morgens are found in the Ashlands, including Putrid Holes; use the existing approach and recovery route to gather sinew.

Place each distinct extension close enough to connect, leaving room around the forge and other extensions. Duplicate copies do not stack. Open the sheltered station and check its displayed level before bringing the sword materials. If the number did not rise, correct the extension’s position or the missing unique type.

Black forge10 Black marble + 10 Yggdrasil wood + 5 Black coreHammer; within workbench range
Black forge cooler5 Iron + 5 Copper + 4 Black marbleHammer; within black forge range
Mechanical spring3 Iron + 1 Refined eitrArtisan table level 1
Vice5 Iron + 8 Copper + 2 Mechanical springHammer; within Black forge range
Metal cutter5 Black marble + 5 Flametal + 5 Ashwood + 4 Charred boneHammer; within black forge range
Gem cutter5 Flametal + 8 Ashwood + 2 Morgen sinew + 1 BloodstoneHammer; within Black forge range

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: Black forge

2

Budget one complete sword, then keep the backup

Prove or fix this

If your ordinary Nidhögg is already upgraded, conversion discards that quality investment. A fresh quality-1 base is our preferred input when the extra 12 Flametal is affordable; leave the upgraded sword at home as recovery equipment. Do not upgrade a fresh base first just to prepare it for conversion.

Treat this as a permanent equipment choice in normal play. The inspected recipe catalog consumes the ordinary sword and provides no reverse conversion or gem-switch recipe. This no-reversal conclusion is based on the catalog, not a gameplay test. To own another effect, budget another ordinary base and the other gem; do not expect to unsocket and recover the spent materials.

The Wiki’s prose totals for hypothetical maximum-quality variants disagree with the gem counts in its own tables. The budget above uses only the obtainable quality-1 and quality-2 rows, corroborated by Jötunn. Quality 3 and 4 would require forge levels 6 and 7, beyond the inspected pre-1.0 ceiling of 5; no future unlock is promised here.

Costs for one chosen variant, excluding station construction
Starting point and goalMaterial budgetResult
Existing ordinary Nidhögg → gemstone quality 1That sword + 6 Flametal + 1 matching gemOne quality-1 variant; original sword is consumed.
Existing ordinary Nidhögg → gemstone quality 2That sword + 12 Flametal + 2 matching gemsConversion, then one upgrade.
No base sword → gemstone quality 23 Charred bone + 24 Flametal + 2 Asksvin hide + 2 matching gemsFresh base sword, conversion and quality-2 upgrade.
Nidhögg3 Charred bone + 12 Flametal + 2 Asksvin hideBlack forge level 3

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: NidhöggValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the BleedingValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the ThunderingValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the PrimalJötunn: generated recipe listValheim Wiki: Black forge

3

Use Craft for the conversion

Prove or fix this

  1. Bank spare gems, other Nidhögg swords and unrelated valuables. Carry only the ordinary sword you intend to consume, 6 smelted Flametal and one matching gem. Leave space for the result.
  2. At the level-4-or-higher Black forge, open the Craft list and choose Nidhögg the Bleeding, the Thundering or the Primal. This is a new named recipe, not the ordinary Nidhögg entry on the Upgrade tab.
  3. Read the selected name and input list once more. Craft, then inspect the resulting variant and its quality-1 indicator. The ordinary sword and gem have become the new item.
  4. If the recipe is missing, handle each required item with this character, including an actual ordinary Nidhögg. Check the Craft list and station level again. Owning gems does not create conversion recipes for every weapon or staff.
Nidhögg the Bleeding1 Nidhögg + 6 Flametal + 1 BloodstoneBlack forge level 4; Craft tab
Nidhögg the Thundering1 Nidhögg + 6 Flametal + 1 IoliteBlack forge level 4; Craft tab
Nidhögg the Primal1 Nidhögg + 6 Flametal + 1 JadeBlack forge level 4; Craft tab

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: Nidhögg the BleedingValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the ThunderingValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the PrimalJötunn: generated recipe list

4

Use Upgrade for quality 2, then repair without spending gems

Prove or fix this

Repairing these variants requires a sheltered Black forge at level 4, even for the quality-2 item. Repairs cost no materials. A basic level-1 outpost forge is insufficient; retain access to the proper home workshop rather than hauling a complete upgrade workshop on every trip.

  1. Confirm all four distinct forge extensions connect and the station displays level 5.
  2. Carry the quality-1 variant, 6 additional Flametal and one more gem of the same type. Select that variant on the Upgrade tab and upgrade once.
  3. Check the sword now displays quality 2. Store unused materials and repair the rest of your kit before returning to the Ashlands.
Nidhögg the Bleeding — upgrade to quality 21 Nidhögg the Bleeding, quality 1 + 6 Flametal + 1 BloodstoneBlack forge level 5; Upgrade tab
Nidhögg the Thundering — upgrade to quality 21 Nidhögg the Thundering, quality 1 + 6 Flametal + 1 IoliteBlack forge level 5; Upgrade tab
Nidhögg the Primal — upgrade to quality 21 Nidhögg the Primal, quality 1 + 6 Flametal + 1 JadeBlack forge level 5; Upgrade tab

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: Nidhögg the BleedingValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the ThunderingValheim Wiki: Nidhögg the PrimalValheim Wiki: Black forge

5

Take a short familiar route with a complete kit

Prove or fix this

Our starting melee kit is your maintained Ashlands armor, the sword, a familiar shield and a ranged fallback. Eat Fiery svinstew, Meat platter and Spicy marmalade for two health foods and one stamina food, refresh Rested and pack healing and stamina supplies. This is a conservative recommendation, not a survival threshold. A Blood magic hybrid follows the protection food plan instead.

Begin on a familiar route near a secure return portal with the home backup kit ready. The sword’s primary attack is a three-hit combo with a stronger final hit; its slower secondary reaches farther. Take a short opening and stop before stamina or positioning becomes unsafe. A gemstone effect does not make the whole combo safe to finish.

Check the chosen effect’s limitation before attacking: keep Chain lightning away from neutral Dvergr, move around immobilized enemies instead of standing in their reach, and heal a Bleeding user when needed. If the experiment is costing too much food or health, return, repair and continue with the familiar weapon while reassessing the choice.

Fiery svinstew1 Asksvin tail + 2 Vineberry cluster + 1 Smoke puffCauldron level 5
Meat platter1 Uncooked meat platterStone oven
Spicy marmalade3 Vineberry cluster + 1 Honey + 1 FiddleheadCauldron level 5
Flametal shield10 Ashwood + 8 Flametal + 2 Asksvin hideBlack forge level 3

Mechanics sources: Valheim Wiki: NidhöggValheim Wiki: Chain lightningValheim Wiki: ImmobilizedValheim Wiki: Bloodstone

6

Recover the sword before risking another gem budget

Prove or fix this

  1. After a death, eat from the home reserve, refresh Rested and equip the backup armor, weapon and shield. Bring healing supplies and leave spare gems at home.
  2. Check the staging portal is still usable. Return to the last safe point and draw enemies away from the tombstone before approaching. Recover the sword and essential equipment when there is room; leave again to equip and repair safely.
  3. If the staging shelter or portal was destroyed, restore that route before making another attempt. Use the transport and recovery procedure for a crowded grave or restricted cargo that complicates departure.
  4. Do not interpret a lost sword as an obligation to convert the backup immediately. Re-establish food, transport and the workshop first. Another variant requires another base and gems; preserve the remaining usable kit until recovery or replacement is affordable.

Mechanics sources: Jötunn: generated recipe list

You’re ready when…

0 of 3 · saved on this device

If something goes wrong

The forge is level 4 but I do not have Gem cutter.

That is enough for conversion. Cooler, Vice and Metal cutter can supply the three needed improvements. Gem cutter completes level 5 for the next quality upgrade.

My quality-3 ordinary sword became quality 1.

Conversion resets quality. The input upgrades are not transferred. Upgrade the new variant to quality 2 when funded; use a fresh base for any later conversion.

The Upgrade tab asks for another gemstone.

The conversion gem does not cover later upgrades. Quality 2 needs another matching gem and 6 Flametal, plus forge level 5.

The sword will not repair at the outpost.

Check for a usable sheltered Black forge at level 4 or higher. Return to the main workshop if the outpost lacks the connected extensions; repair needs no gem or bar payment.

Sources · 9community · checked 8 Sep 2026 · Research-based
Valheim Wiki: Nidhögg ↗Ordinary sword ingredients, one-handed moves, quality reset when converted, and higher base quality upgrade costs.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Nidhögg the Bleeding ↗Base conversion and quality-2 costs, station 4/5 requirements, quality reset, missing-health effect and common sword attack pattern. Hypothetical all-quality prose total conflicts with its own table and is not used.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Nidhögg the Thundering ↗Conversion and quality-2 costs, station and repair levels, quality reset and slash/lightning components. Its shorthand 25% proc statement is qualified by the dedicated effect reference’s 20% secondary rate.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Nidhögg the Primal ↗Conversion and quality-2 costs, station and repair requirements, quality reset and poison component; poison is less useful against many Ashlands enemies.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Black forge ↗Four different extensions increase the forge to level 5, each adds one level; shelter and free repairs. Level-4 access does not specifically require Gem cutter.community ·
Jötunn: generated recipe list ↗Base sword inputs and all three variants’ conversion/quality-2 ingredients; arithmetic budgets from these rows. No supported reverse/switch crafting route.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Chain lightning ↗25% normal versus 20% secondary trigger chance, chain spread and risk of damaging neutral Dvergr and making them hostile.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Immobilized ↗Jade weapons have a 20% chance of a 10-second effect; prevents movement/rotation but not attacks, and Morgen attack animations can still move it. Staff of the Wild roots have a different trigger chance.community ·
Valheim Wiki: Bloodstone ↗Blood effect adds 0.2% damage per missing player health point, not missing percentage or enemy health; fortress chest source and ordinary portal compatibility.community ·
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