Nidhogg in Age of Mythology: Retold - Everything you need to know about this dragon

Nidhogg is one of the most impressive creatures in Age of Mythology: Retold, and it’s the result of worshipping Hel under Loki and Freyir’s tutelage. Hel is a Mythic Minor God in the Norse Pantheon who is focused explicitly on myth units, and her God Power calls forth this dragon, Nidhoog, also a myth unit.

In Age of Mythology, both the original game (which can still be purchased on Steam) and the Retold version, Nidhoog is arguably a mini-Titan: it’s a flying unit with exceptional attack, and since it can only be targeted by ranged units and buildings, it can take whole armies on its own.

Many of those playing with Loki, choose Hel specifically for Nidhoog, and justifiably so: Loki’s focus on myth units with Hel’s tech also focused on myth units make this creature a veritable foe to deal with in Age of Mythology: Retold.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Nidhogg in Age of Mythology: Retold, from its ferocious attacks to its most significant weaknesses.

Nidhoog in Age of Mythology: Retold: Pros and Cons

Pros

1. It’s a flying unit

Nidhogg is a flying dragon, and that has many benefits. From being able to bypass Walls to decimate entire armies of melee units without taking a hit, this dragon can only be damaged by archers, units, or buildings with ranged attacks.

2. Has a big health pool

In Age of Mythology: Retold, the Nidhogg has 2500 Hit Points. His health can be increased by researching certain techs, such as Freyir’s Gift, which gives him +10% Hit Points. If you access the Wonder Age, the Nidhogg will have 5000 Hit Points, so arguably he’s a Titan.

3. He’s strong

The Nidhogg is strong. It has a hack-and-crush damage of 40, and it can be devastating against all units.

4. He has abilities that make him immune to other God Powers

Like a Titan, in Age of Mythology: Retold, the Nidhogg has Divine Protection, which makes him immune to certain specific and deadly God Powers, such as Bolt, or Traitor.

Plus, his Blazing Strafe ability makes him a killing machine capable of setting small armies on fire.

5. He can be summoned multiple times

If the game’s original version only lets you summon Nidhogg once, Age of Mythology: Retold lets you summon as many Nidhoggs as you want, as long as you have the Favor (here how you can earn the most of it, as Norse) and patience.

Cons

1. He’s a myth unit

Being a myth unit means he’s very susceptible to heroes and can be taken down very easily. The Atlantean Pantheon should have no trouble taking him down in minutes; the Egyptian Pantheon is also quite capable if they’re using an army of Priests, a Pharaoh, or a Son of Osiris, which can kill your Nidhogg in minutes.

So be mindful of these Pantheons, and try to avoid a confrontation with their heroes if you don’t want your dragon to be killed easily.

2. He’s quite vulnerable against Town Centers, Guard Towers, and similar buildings

Buildings that can attack can damage the Nidhogg, so don’t get him too close to Town Centers, Guard Towers, or Fortress. Always add him to an army.

3. He cannot be healed

Like the Egyptians’ Son of Osiris, the Nidhogg cannot be healed so that sustained attacks will finish him. This will require you to pay extra attention to this creature when attacking, leaving you unable to control the rest of your army.

4. He’s slow

In Age of Mythology: Retold, the Nidhogg, despite his flying nature, is quite slow. He can bypass Walls and fly around, but 4.3 Speed means other ranged troops or myth units can easily catch him from behind. Fortunately, he has a great Line of Sight, so you should be able to see if something is coming.

5. He’s hard to manage

As we mentioned, you’ll need to pay extra attention to Nidhogg and coordinate it to get the most out of him without suffering too much damage. In an important battle, this is not desirable, as you need to be able to control your other units as well.

6. All of your enemies will be notified when you summon a Nidhogg

This speaks for itself. If your enemies know, they will prepare for him by recruiting Heroes and making the Nidhogg their top priority.

7. He’s big and can be spotted easily

Contrary to the Son of Osiris, for example, the Nidhogg is a giant creature, so it can be targeted very easily. His size ironically makes him vulnerable.

Ultimately, while Nidhogg can be compared to Son of Osiris, and they’re similar in many aspects, the former is far more vulnerable to attacks. He should be used alongside an army to attack and destroy your enemies faster, but only after you gain a form of advantage, as the heat of the battle can easily take him down.

Having said this, Age of Mythology: Retold doesn’t stop at just one Nidhogg; you can get many of them if you have the Favor. With 2 or 3 Nidhoggs at your side, you’ll be unstoppable. With one, though, you have to be extra careful.