You’re in the Kuttenberg region, specifically the dusty town of Grund, and you think you’re the best smith in Bohemia. Why wouldn't you? You're Henry of Skalitz. But then you meet Zdimir. He’s the local blacksmith, and he has a mouth on him. He thinks his apprentice, Matthias, can out-forge anyone. Naturally, a bet follows. This is the kcd2 hammer and tongs task, and if you aren't careful, it’s one of those missions that will leave you staring at a "Quest Failed" screen while Matthias laughs in your face.
Honestly, the stakes seem low at first. It’s just a hunting sword. But this quest is a trap for the unobservant. It isn't just about clicking on an anvil; it's a test of your actual understanding of the new Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 crafting mechanics.
The Competition: More Than Just a Sword
The core of kcd2 hammer and tongs is a direct competition. Zdimir hands you the materials—steel, scrap metal, and fastening material—and tells you to get to work. Most players make their first mistake right here. They open the crafting menu, see "Hunting Sword," and start hammering away.
Stop.
You aren't making a regular hunting sword. You need to select the Competition Sword from your sketches. It uses the same materials, but the game logic treats it as a unique quest item. If you bring Zdimir a standard masterwork hunting sword, he’ll basically look at you like you’re an idiot. You have to craft the specific version meant for the bet.
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Blacksmithing 101: Don't Burn the Tip
The mini-game in KCD2 is way more involved than the sharpening wheel from the first game. You’ve got to manage the bellows to get the heat into that "straw yellow" or "white-hot" range. If you see sparks flying off the metal while it's in the forge, you’re burning it. Henry will literally mutter to himself that he's ruining the piece.
Once you’re at the anvil, rhythm is everything.
- Heat evenly: Don't just blast one end of the blade. Move the workpiece back and forth.
- The "Whistle" Factor: If you hit a good rhythm with your hammer strikes, Henry starts whistling. This is the game's way of telling you the quality is skyrocketing.
- Don't over-strike: Hitting the same spot twice in a row without moving the blade is a quick way to lower the final tier.
To win the bet, your sword needs to be at least Level 3 (Gold quality). If you’ve been ignoring your Craftsmanship skill, you might struggle here. Pro tip: Wear a leather apron and gloves. It sounds like roleplay fluff, but it actually gives a hidden nudge to your success rate.
The Matthias Duel: Where It Gets Weird
So you've forged the sword. It’s beautiful. Zdimir admits you’re better than his boy. You get your 200 Groschen. But Matthias? He’s a sore loser. He won’t hand over his sword—which was part of the bet—unless you force the issue.
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This is where the kcd2 hammer and tongs quest frequently bugs out or confuses people. You have two real choices: talk him down with a speech/intimidation check or fight him.
If you choose to fight, things get dicey. A lot of players report that Matthias pulls out a real sword while the game expects you to fistfight, or vice versa. If you draw your primary longsword, the town guards might lose their minds and arrest you for assault.
The fix is simple but annoying: Unequip your shield before the duel starts.
If you have a shield equipped, the game's dueling logic often breaks, causing Matthias to glitch out or the quest to fail because you "cheated" in a fair duel. Use the hunting sword you just forged. It’s the intended way to humble him.
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Avoiding the "Thunderstone" Lockout
Here is a detail that almost nobody talks about: this quest is missable. If you are doing the side quest called "The Thunderstone" and you decide to keep the stone for yourself, you can actually get locked out of kcd2 hammer and tongs.
Why? Because the blacksmithing community in the Kuttenberg outskirts is tight-knit. If you gain a reputation for being a selfish prick with materials, Zdimir might not even offer you the bet. If the quest marker isn't showing up in Grund, check your completed quests. If you finished "The Thunderstone" a certain way, you might have accidentally closed this door.
Is Matthias's Sword Worth It?
Basically, no.
If you won the competition, the sword you forged is almost certainly better than the one Matthias was working on. The real reward is the Groschen and the massive boost to your Craftsmanship XP. By the time you reach Level 16 in Craftsmanship, you unlock "Martin's Secret," which lets you craft "Henry Quality" weapons that outclass anything you can buy in Kuttenberg or find in a treasure chest.
Think of this quest as your mid-game exam. If you can't beat a lowly apprentice in Grund, you have no business trying to forge the high-end Sabres or Longswords later on.
Actionable Steps for Success
- Check your inventory: Ensure you have the "Competition Sword" sketch selected, not the standard hunting sword.
- Strip down: Unequip your shield and your primary weapon before talking to Matthias after the forge.
- Watch the glow: Keep the metal in the bright yellow range; if it turns dull red, you’re losing quality. If it sparks, you’re burning it.
- Save before the talk: Given the known bugs with the duel transition, drop a Savior Schnapps right after you finish at the anvil.
Once you've handed Matthias his pride on a silver platter, make sure to take his losing sword anyway. You can always sell it to the smith in nearby Miskowitz for some extra pocket change.