Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates on new products and sales. Act now and enjoy 10% off* your first full-price purchase!
*Exclusions apply. See terms. Read more about the SteelSeries Privacy Policy.
Improve your art of smithing in Skyrim
Unlock the secrets to mastering Skyrim's Smithing skill with our comprehensive guide. Discover the fastest methods to level up.
Wordsmith at SteelSeries. Enthusiastic about Dota 2 and fighting games. A cat dad.
In the vast world of Skyrim, mastering the art of Smithing is crucial for crafting the finest armor and weapons, giving you a significant edge in combat and exploration. However, leveling up this skill can be a daunting task, requiring a substantial investment of time and resources. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a new Dragonborn, understanding the most efficient methods to improve your Smithing skill is key to unlocking the full potential of your character.
In this guide, we'll delve into the best strategies for rapidly advancing your Smithing abilities, from crafting valuable items like Dwarven Bows and Gold Rings to leveraging experience boosts and trainers. Whether you prefer the traditional method of crafting hundreds of Iron Daggers or the more lucrative approach of crafting high-value jewelry, we'll cover it all. So, let's embark on this journey to become the ultimate Skyrim blacksmith!
Upgrade your mouse with 16 programmable buttons to enjoy all the mods Skyrim offers
To get better at Smithing, you’ll need to practice by crafting items. There are several methods to help you level up.
Craft Iron Daggers until you reach level 30 Smithing.
Each dagger requires 1 Iron Ingot and 1 Leather Strip.
At higher levels, switch to crafting Dwarven Bows for faster leveling.
Requires the Dwarven Smithing perk (level 30).
Each bow needs 2 Dwarven Metal Ingots and 1 Iron Ingot.
Collect Dwarven metal from Dwemer ruins (e.g., Mzulft, Nchuand-Zel).
You can start crafting jewelry at any level, you just need the right materials
Transmute Iron Ore to Silver, then to Gold for maximum efficiency.
Mine or purchase Iron Ore, and collect Gems from various locations.
High-value items like Gold Diamond Necklaces provide significant experience.
In order to transmute Iron Ore to Silver and then Gold, you’ll have to first obtain the Transmute spell in the Halted Stream Camp, located north of Whiterun.
Once you’ve had practice crafting items, you can further improve your Smithing abilities by tempering items. As you use items, they become worn and less durable. Tempering items improves their durability and returns them to their original state.
Focus on improving high-value armor pieces like Daedric or Dragon armor.
The higher the base value of the item, the more experience you gain.
Use ingots of the same type as the armor (e.g., Iron Ingots for Iron Armor).
Improve weapons, especially those with high base values.
Daedric and Dragon weapons offer the most experience when improved.
You can also improve Smithing ability by reading skill books. Each book read increases Smithing skill by one point but can only be read once for the effect.
"The Armorer's Challenge": Found in Alftand, Lost Knife Hideout, and other locations.
"Heavy Armor Forging": Locations include Liar's Retreat and Movarth's Lair.
"Light Armor Forging": Can be found in Embershard Mine and Halted Stream Camp.
"The Last Scabbard of Akrash": Locations include Riften Jail and Dawnstar Barracks.
"Cherim's Heart of Anequina": Found in various locations including Dragonsreach.
Training with a trainer is a great way to get better at Smithing. You can train 5 times per level, but the cost increases with each level, becoming quite expensive at higher levels.
Smithing Trainers:
Ghorza gra-Bagol in Markarth (up to level 50)
Balimund in Riften (up to level 75)
Eorlund Gray-Mane in Whiterun (up to level 100)
Gunmar in Fort Dawnguard (up to level 100)
Perks, potions, and enchantments can enhance your smithing ability, especially when you combine them.
Perks: Unlock perks like Steel Smithing, Elven Smithing, etc., to craft better items and improve them more effectively.
Focus on perks that align with the armor and weapons you use most.
The "Arcane Blacksmith" perk allows improvement of magical weapons and armor.
"Advanced Armors" and "Dragon Armor" perks are crucial for crafting the best gear.
Potions: Use Fortify Smithing potions to enhance item improvement. Ingredients include Blisterwort, Glowing Mushroom, Sabre Cat Tooth, and Spriggan Sap.
Combine Blisterwort + Glowing Mushroom for a basic Fortify Smithing potion.
Add Sabre Cat Tooth or Spriggan Sap for stronger potions.
With high Alchemy skill, create potions that boost Smithing by up to 130%.
Potion potency increases by 20% at each alchemy level from 1-5
Enchantments: Apply Fortify Smithing enchantments to gear to increase improvement effectiveness.
Enchant a full set: Helmet, Gauntlets, Ring, and Necklace with Fortify Smithing.
With 100 Enchanting and relevant perks, each piece can provide up to 25% boost.
Combine enchanted gear with potions for maximum Smithing effectiveness.
Experience boosts ways to further gain experience and level up your skills in the game. Naturally, as you level up, your Smithing abilities will increase.
Standing Stones: Each Standing Stone grants your character a unique ability or bonus. You can only have the effects of one Standing Stone active at a time, but you can switch between them by visiting different stones. The exception to this rule is if you wear the Aetherial Crown, which allows you to benefit from two Standing Stones simultaneously.
The Warrior Stone: Increases combat skills experience by 20%.
The Mage Stone: Increases magic skills experience by 20%.
The Thief Stone: Increases stealth skills experience by 20%.
The Lover Stone: Increases all skills experience by 15%.
Well Rested Bonus: Sleeping in a bed you own provides a 10% experience boost to all skills.
Aetherial Crown: Allows you to have two Standing Stone effects active simultaneously, potentially stacking experience boosts.
Skill-Specific Methods:
Some quests and actions provide direct skill increases, which count towards leveling.
Certain NPCs can provide free skill boosts upon completing favors.
Oghma Infinium: A unique book that gives five extra skill points to every skill in one skill group of your choosing.
Guardian Stones: Located near Riverwood, these are typically the first Standing Stones players encounter and offer a 20% boost to a group of skills (combat, magic, or stealth)
As you've journeyed through this comprehensive guide on improving your Smithing skills in Skyrim, you've uncovered the secrets to rapidly advancing from a novice craftsman to a master blacksmith. Whether you've chosen to craft Iron Daggers by the dozen, delve into the lucrative world of jewelry crafting, or strategically use trainers and experience boosts, each method offers a unique path to achieving Smithing mastery.
By combining these strategies with a keen eye for resource management and a dash of creativity, you'll be well on your way to forging the most legendary armor and weapons the world of Skyrim has ever seen.
As you continue to explore the frozen wilderness, conquer dragons, and unravel ancient mysteries, your enhanced Smithing skills will be your greatest ally. So, don your apron, sharpen your tools, and let the hammer strike true—your journey to Smithing greatness awaits!
For additional Skyrim tips, check out our other guides: