How to Use Portal Tool The Forge (March 2026) Ultimate Guide

Updated by Nikhil Desai
November 30, 2025
Gaming Guides

The Portal Tool is your gateway to unlocking The Forge’s true potential as a multi-island RPG experience. When I first discovered this powerful item, it completely transformed how I approached the game – turning what felt like a linear mining cave into an expansive world of possibilities. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining, using, and mastering the Portal Tool to dominate The Forge.

Portal Tool Basics

Aspect	Requirement	Purpose
Minimum Level	Level 10	Unlock Forgotten Kingdom access
Key Quest	Bard’s Guitar questline	Obtain portal functionality
Primary Use	Island teleportation	Fast travel between locations
First Destination	Forgotten Kingdom	Access better ores and pickaxes
Progression Impact	Game-changing	Unlocks mid and late-game content

What the Portal Tool Does in The Forge?

The Portal Tool is far more than just a fancy item – it’s the key that transforms The Forge from a closed starter experience into a true multi-island RPG adventure. Before I unlocked it, I felt trapped in Stonewake’s Cross with its limited ores and basic equipment. Once I got my hands on this powerful tool, entire new worlds opened up to me.

Think of the Portal Tool as your personal teleportation device that lets you bypass the tedious running through caves and mountains. Instead of spending minutes traversing the same paths over and over, you can instantly warp between unlocked locations. This isn’t just about convenience – it’s about unlocking the real game that lies beyond the starter zone.

Two crucial elements determine your portal success:

Tool Acquisition: You must complete specific quests to unlock the Portal Tool itself
Destination Requirements: Each location has its own level or quest prerequisites

Once both conditions are met, you’ll wonder how you ever played without this game-changing tool. The Portal Tool becomes your best friend for efficient grinding, quest completion, and accessing the game’s most valuable resources.

Prerequisites Before Getting the Portal Tool

Before you can even think about teleporting between islands, The Forge expects you to master the fundamentals. I learned this the hard way when I tried to rush for the Portal Tool without proper preparation. Don’t make my mistake – follow these essential prerequisite steps:

Core Gameplay Loop Mastery

First, you need to prove you understand the basic mechanics that make The Forge tick:

Mining Proficiency: Start with the free Stone Pickaxe and learn the mining rhythm. Practice on the basic ores around Stonewake’s Cross until you can efficiently gather materials without breaking your pickaxe constantly.
Forging Fundamentals: Take your mined ores to the main forge and create your first weapons and armor. Don’t worry about making perfect items yet – just get comfortable with the forging minigame and understand how different ores affect your results.
Economic Understanding: Sell some of your crafted items to build up starting capital. This money will be crucial for purchasing your first upgraded pickaxe from Miner Fred.

Essential Systems to Master

During this early phase, you’ll encounter two systems that directly impact your portal progression:

Leveling System: Your character level is the gatekeeper for portal access. Gain XP by:

Mining ores (more valuable ores give more XP)
Forging items (complex items yield better XP)
Completing quests from various NPCs
Claiming rewards from your Index (press T to open)

Pro Tip: I make it a habit to press T after every significant activity to claim Index rewards. This single habit dramatically accelerated my leveling progress and helped me hit the crucial level 10 milestone much faster.

Bard’s Guitar Questline: This seemingly innocent side quest is actually your ticket to portal functionality. The Bard in Stonewake’s Cross has lost his guitar, and helping him recover it starts a chain reaction that eventually leads to portal-related rewards.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get the Portal Tool?

Getting the Portal Tool isn’t as simple as finding it or buying it – it’s a progression reward that requires dedication and strategic gameplay. Follow these exact steps I used to unlock this game-changing tool:

Step 1: Reach Level 10

Level 10 is your first major checkpoint and the absolute minimum requirement for portal functionality. Here’s how I efficiently reached this milestone:

Mining Strategy: Focus on mining the most valuable ores available to you. In Stonewake’s Cross, prioritize:

Iron ores for decent XP and value
Gold ores when you unlock them (excellent XP source)
Any special event ores that appear

Forging for XP: Don’t just sell everything – forge items strategically:

Create weapons you can actually use for combat
Make items that complete Index entries
Experiment with different forging techniques to discover new recipes

Quest Completion: Every NPC in Stonewake’s Cross has quests that reward substantial XP:

Complete Sensei Moro’s initial tutorial quests
Help the Bard with his guitar questline
Assist other NPCs with their requests

Index Management: Press T regularly to claim completed entries. I can’t stress this enough – many players forget this and miss out on massive XP bonuses.

Step 2: Complete the Bard’s Guitar Quest

This questline is more important than it initially appears. Here’s how to complete it:

Starting the Quest: Find the Bard NPC in Stonewake’s Cross (usually near the central area) and talk to him. He’ll mention losing his guitar and ask for your help.

Finding the Guitar: The guitar is typically located in one of these areas:

Near the waterfall area outside the main settlement
Close to the mining caves entrance
Sometimes hidden behind rocks or structures

Returning the Guitar: Once found, return it to the Bard. He’ll reward you and continue the questline with additional tasks.

Quest Completion: Finish all parts of the Bard’s quest chain. The final reward includes a key item related to portal functionality.

Step 3: Meet the Wizard

Once you’ve hit level 10 and completed the Bard’s quest, it’s time to meet the Wizard who will grant you the actual Portal Tool:

Location: The Wizard can be found in a house at the end of the island. To reach him:

Take the left road before entering the main cave
Follow the path until you see a distinctive tower or wizard house
The Wizard is usually outside or near his dwelling

Interaction: Talk to the Wizard and mention that you’ve completed the necessary requirements. He’ll recognize your progress and grant you the Portal Tool.

Tool Reception: The Portal Tool will appear in your inventory or hotbar. It’s typically represented by a portal or magical item icon.

How to Use the Portal Tool Effectively?

Now that you have the Portal Tool, using it effectively is crucial for maximizing your gameplay efficiency. Here’s my comprehensive guide to portal usage:

Basic Portal Operation

Accessing the Tool: The Portal Tool appears in your hotbar. Select it and press the designated key (usually E or click) to activate it.

Placement Mechanics: When you activate the Portal Tool:

Your cursor will change to show placement mode
Look for green highlights indicating valid placement areas
Red highlights mean the location is invalid for portal placement
Find stable, flat ground for best results

Opening the Menu: Once placed, walk toward the portal and press E to open the island selection menu.

Destination Selection: The menu shows all unlocked destinations. For starters, you’ll see:

Stonewake’s Cross (your starting point)
Forgotten Kingdom (unlocked at level 10)

Teleportation: Click the “Teleport” button after selecting your destination. You’ll experience a brief loading screen before arriving at your chosen location.

Advanced Portal Techniques

Quick Portal Management: I’ve developed several techniques for efficient portal usage:

Portal Hotkey: If possible, assign the Portal Tool to an easily accessible hotkey number for quick access during intense grinding sessions.

Strategic Placement: Place portals in locations that offer:

Quick access to mining areas
Proximity to forging stations
Safe zones away from enemies
Central locations for multiple resource types

Multiple Portal Strategy: In some cases, you can maintain multiple portals:

One near your primary mining area
One close to forging facilities
One near quest NPCs for quick turn-ins

Unlocking the Forgotten Kingdom

The Forgotten Kingdom represents your first major expansion beyond Stonewake’s Cross and is the primary reason most players seek the Portal Tool. Here’s everything you need to know about accessing and utilizing this crucial area:

Access Requirements

Level 10 Mandatory: This is non-negotiable. The game strictly enforces this level requirement, and no amount of trickery or glitching will bypass it. Focus on legitimate leveling through the methods I described earlier.

First-Time Access: When you first teleport to the Forgotten Kingdom:

You’ll spawn facing a main forge similar to Stonewake’s Cross
The area will feel familiar but with upgraded resources
New NPCs and shops become available
Stronger enemies roam the area

Forgotten Kingdom Benefits

The Forgotten Kingdom isn’t just a change of scenery – it’s where the real game begins. Here’s why this area is so crucial:

Superior Ores: The Forgotten Kingdom contains valuable ores that simply don’t exist in Stonewake’s Cross:

Basalt Core: Mid-tier ore with good value
Basalt Vein: Slightly better than Basalt Core
Volcanic Rock: High-tier ore with excellent value
Gemstone Chance: These ores have chances to drop valuable gems:
- Topaz (common)
- Diamond (uncommon)
- Emerald (rare)
- Ruby (very rare)

Upgraded Pickaxes: Miner Fred has a second shop in the Forgotten Kingdom with vastly superior pickaxes:

Cobalt Pickaxe: Good upgrade from basic pickaxes
Titanium Pickaxe: Better mining speed and luck
Uranium Pickaxe: Excellent for mid-game progression
Mythril Pickaxe: Near-endgame performance
Lightite Pickaxe: High-tier with great stats
Magma Pickaxe: Excellent for volcanic areas
Demonic Pickaxe: Best-in-slot for endgame content

Advanced NPCs: New service providers become available:

Enhancer: Upgrades your weapons and armor
Rune Maker: Adds magical properties to equipment
Specialized Merchants: Sell rare items and materials

Efficient Forgotten Kingdom Farming

Once you have access to the Forgotten Kingdom, efficient farming becomes possible:

Volcano Area: The volcanic regions offer:

Fast-respawning ore nodes
High concentration of valuable materials
Good AFK farming potential
Excellent money-making opportunities

Optimal Routes: I’ve developed several efficient farming routes:

Circular Route: Hits all major ore nodes in a loop
Vertical Route: Focuses on depth-based ore progression
Zone-Specific: Targets specific ore types as needed

Portal Tool Progression System

The Portal Tool isn’t just a one-time unlock – it’s part of a larger progression system that ties into your overall character development. Understanding this system is crucial for long-term success:

Pickaxe and Portal Relationship

Your pickaxe progression directly correlates with your portal effectiveness:

Progression Stage	Key Tool	Portal Benefits
Starter Phase	Stone/Bronze/Iron/Gold Pickaxe	Basic portal access, limited to starter areas
Level 10 Breakthrough	Portal Tool	Access to Forgotten Kingdom, new resource tiers
Early Mid-Game	Cobalt/Titanium/Uranium Pickaxe	Efficient mining of Basalt and Volcanic Rock
Mid-Game	Mythril/Lightite Pickaxe	High mining efficiency, better ore luck
Late-Game	Magma Pickaxe	Superior volcanic mining, high luck stats
Endgame	Demonic Pickaxe	Maximum efficiency, multiple rune slots

Level Requirements for New Areas

As you progress, new islands and areas become available through the Portal Tool, each with its own requirements:

Level 20 Areas: Typically introduce new ore types and stronger enemies Level 30 Areas: Often contain rare resources and boss encounters Level 40+ Areas: Endgame content with the most valuable resources

Advanced Portal Strategies

Once you’ve mastered the basics, these advanced strategies will help you maximize your Portal Tool efficiency:

Quest Optimization with Portals

Goblin King Questline: This extensive quest series becomes much more efficient with portal access:

Initial Access: Use portal to reach Forgotten Kingdom quickly
Gem Collection: Mine Basalt and Volcanic rocks for required gems
Quest Turn-ins: Portal back to Goblin King instantly with required materials
Final Rewards: Complete all five quests to unlock Goblin Cave access

Tomo’s Cat Quest: This hidden quest requires portal efficiency:

Goblin Cave Access: Use the key from Goblin King quests
Waterfall Navigation: Find the hidden waterfall in Goblin Cave
Cat Recovery: Complete the quest and return via portal

Resource Management

Portal-Based Inventory Management: I use portals to optimize my inventory:

Dedicated Mining Runs: Fill inventory with valuable ores
Quick Portal Returns: Instantly teleport to forging areas
Bulk Processing: Process large quantities efficiently
Return Trips: Portal back for more without travel time

Multi-Character Coordination: If you have multiple characters:

Mule Characters: Use portals to transfer items between characters
Specialized Roles: Different characters focus on different activities
Resource Sharing: Portal between characters to share materials

Common Portal Tool Issues and Solutions

Even with proper usage, you might encounter some issues. Here are solutions to common problems:

Placement Issues

Red Highlight Problems: If your portal shows red instead of green:

Terrain Issues: Move to flatter, more stable ground
Obstruction Check: Ensure no objects block the portal area
Boundary Limits: Stay within valid game boundaries
Retry Different Locations: Some areas simply don’t allow portal placement

Teleportation Problems

Failed Teleports: When teleportation doesn’t work:

Level Verification: Double-check you meet level requirements
Quest Completion: Ensure prerequisite quests are complete
Server Issues: Try rejoining the game if problems persist
Cooldown Period: Wait a few seconds between portal uses

Destination Unavailable

Missing Islands: If expected destinations don’t appear:

Progression Check: Verify you’ve unlocked the content
Level Requirements: Some islands have higher level minimums
Quest Dependencies: Complete required quests first
Update Status: Check if the content is actually released

Portal Tool and Community Resources

To stay current with Portal Tool developments, connect with these community resources:

Official Sources

Discord Server: Join the official Discord at discord.gg/theforgers for:

Real-time updates about portal changes
Community tips and strategies
Developer announcements
Bug reports and fixes

Twitter Updates: Follow @ForgeStudios for:

Patch notes affecting portal functionality
New island announcements
Development progress updates
Community events and features

Community Resources

Wiki Pages: Check the official and community wikis for:

Detailed portal mechanics
Island requirements and guides
Quest walkthroughs
Resource locations and values

YouTube Guides: Many content creators provide:

Visual portal tutorials
Efficient route demonstrations
Quest completion guides
Advanced strategy explanations

Future Portal Tool Developments

The Forge is still in development, and the Portal Tool system continues to evolve. Based on current development patterns, expect these future enhancements:

Potential New Features

Additional Islands: More destinations accessible via portals:

Higher-level areas with better resources
Special event islands with unique content
PvP-focused areas for competitive play
Social hubs for community interaction

Portal Upgrades: Possible enhancements to the Portal Tool:

Faster teleportation times
Multiple portal management
Portal customization options
Group teleportation features

Quality of Life Improvements: Expected enhancements:

Better placement indicators
Improved destination organization
Portal history and favorites
Enhanced visual effects

FAQ

How do I get the Portal Tool in The Forge?

To get the Portal Tool, you need to reach level 10 and complete the Bard’s Guitar questline. Once both requirements are met, talk to the Wizard in Stonewake’s Cross to receive the Portal Tool.

Why can’t I place my Portal Tool anywhere?

The Portal Tool can only be placed on valid terrain that shows a green highlight. Red highlights indicate invalid placement areas. Move to flatter, more stable ground away from obstacles to successfully place your portal.

What level do I need to be for the Forgotten Kingdom?

You must reach level 10 to unlock and access the Forgotten Kingdom through the Portal Tool. This is a strict requirement that cannot be bypassed.

How do I teleport using the Portal Tool?

Select the Portal Tool from your hotbar, place it on valid ground (green highlight), walk toward the portal and press E to open the destination menu, select your desired location, and click “Teleport.”

Can I use the Portal Tool to go back to Stonewake’s Cross?

Yes, once you’ve unlocked the Portal Tool, you can teleport between any unlocked locations, including returning to Stonewake’s Cross from the Forgotten Kingdom or other areas.

What ores are available in the Forgotten Kingdom?

The Forgotten Kingdom contains Basalt Core, Basalt Vein, and Volcanic Rock, which have chances to drop Topaz, Diamond, Emerald, and Ruby gems.

How do I unlock the Goblin Cave using portals?

Complete all five of the Goblin King’s quests in the Forgotten Kingdom, then use the rewarded key on the door to the right of the Goblin King to unlock the Goblin Cave.

Why is my Portal Tool not working?

Common issues include not meeting level requirements, incomplete prerequisite quests, server issues, or attempting to place the portal on invalid terrain. Check all requirements and try rejoining the game if problems persist.

Can I have multiple portals active at once?

Currently, the Portal Tool typically allows one active portal at a time, but this may change with future updates. Focus on strategic placement for maximum efficiency.

What’s the fastest way to reach level 10 for the Portal Tool?

Mine valuable ores, forge items for Index completion, complete all available quests, and regularly press T to claim Index rewards. This combination provides the fastest leveling experience.

Conclusion

The Portal Tool represents the turning point where The Forge transforms from a simple mining game into a full-fledged RPG experience. Through my journey with this tool, I’ve discovered that it’s not just about convenience – it’s about unlocking the true potential of the game.

By following this comprehensive guide, you now have everything you need to:

Obtain the Portal Tool through proper progression
Use it effectively for efficient gameplay
Unlock and utilize the Forgotten Kingdom
Master advanced portal strategies
Troubleshoot common issues
Stay connected with community resources

Remember that the Portal Tool is just the beginning of your journey in The Forge. As you continue to level up and progress, new islands, challenges, and opportunities will become available through this powerful tool. The key is to approach it strategically, always keeping your long-term progression in mind.

I encourage you to bookmark this guide and return to it as you progress through The Forge. The Portal Tool system may receive updates and changes, but the fundamental strategies and principles outlined here will remain valuable throughout your journey.

Now it’s time to put this knowledge into action. Get out there, reach level 10, complete those quests, and unlock the Portal Tool that will transform your Forge experience forever. Happy mining, forging, and teleporting!