Smithing (Skill) — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Guide

Smithing Skill: Forge Your Own Legend

The Smithing skill in Skyrim allows you to craft and improve weapons and armor at forges, workbenches, and grindstones. This is a fundamental skill for any character, enabling you to create powerful gear, repair damaged equipment, and customize your loadout to suit your playstyle. Mastering Smithing can lead to the creation of legendary items that surpass anything found in the world.

To level up your Smithing skill, you must craft and improve items. Crafting items, especially those made from more valuable materials like Iron or Steel, provides experience. Improving existing weapons and armor at a grindstone or workbench also grants experience. The more valuable the material and the higher the quality of the item, the more experience you will gain.

The Smithing skill tree is divided into several branches, each corresponding to different armor and weapon types and materials:

• Steel Smithing: Allows crafting of steel armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Elven Smithing: Allows crafting of elven armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Dwarven Smithing: Allows crafting of dwarven armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Orcish Smithing: Allows crafting of orcish armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Ebony Smithing: Allows crafting of ebony armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Daedric Smithing: Allows crafting of daedric armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Dragon Smithing: Allows crafting of dragonscale and dragonbone armor and weapons, and improves them by 25%.
• Smithed Weapons: Improves the effectiveness of all weapons.
• Smithed Armor: Improves the effectiveness of all armor.

To craft items, you will need raw materials such as iron ore, leather strips, ingots, and gems. These can be found throughout Skyrim, mined from ore veins, purchased from merchants, or salvaged from defeated enemies. Forging requires visiting a forge, while improving items requires a workbench (for armor) or a grindstone (for weapons).

Trainers can help you level up your Smithing skill more quickly. Balgruuf's housecarl, Irileth, in Whiterun, or Eorlund Gray-Mane at the Skyforge are excellent smithing trainers. Additionally, finding Skill Books that boost Smithing, such as 'The Armorer's Challenge' or 'Heavy Armor Forging', can provide a substantial experience boost.

The Skyforge in Whiterun, accessible after joining the Companions, is a unique forge that allows you to craft Skyforge Steel weapons and armor, which are superior to standard steel items. Investing in Smithing is highly recommended for any character, as it allows you to create the best possible gear for your build, often surpassing the quality of items found through looting or quests.